Woman Sought in Murder, Baby Kidnaping
The FBI has set up a round-the-clock hot line in the hope of getting tips on the woman who kidnaped an infant after killing the baby’s mother and injuring her grandmother, police said Sunday.
There have been no arrests yet in the slaying and kidnaping, said police Sgt. Steven Richardson, who asked tipsters to call the 24-hour crime-watch telephone number operated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re getting information from the public because of announcements made by the media. We’re working on several leads,” FBI agent James McGauley said.
The attack and abduction occurred Thursday, one day after Joan Witt and 8-pound, 6-ounce Heather Marie Witt were released from Baptist Medical Center. Heather was born March 22.
The assailant asked to use the telephone in Witt’s home, saying she was pregnant and going into labor. Inside, she stabbed and shot Witt and her mother and left with the baby.
Witt died late Thursday after surgery at University Hospital. Her funeral was scheduled for today.
The baby’s grandmother, Marie Barrett, 56, was listed in serious but stable condition at University Hospital.
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