Mother Denies Abduction Charge
A woman who allegedly took her 14-month-old son from Valley Presbyterian Hospital last weekend pleaded not guilty Thursday to child abduction but guilty to possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
Diana Allen, 29, was being held at Van Nuys Jail after entering the pleas in Van Nuys Municipal Court.
Allen’s son, William H. Moriarty Jr., was released from the hospital Tuesday in good condition and is in the care of foster parents, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Authorities said Allen had taken the boy from the pediatrics intensive-care unit of the hospital about 8:10 p.m. Saturday but returned him to the hospital about 8 p.m. Sunday. She told police she returned the boy after hearing media reports that his life might be in jeopardy because of medication and medical supervision that he requires.
The boy had been hospitalized for severe head injuries allegedly inflicted by his father, William H. Moriarty Sr., who has been charged with child abuse and is free on bail, police said.
Allen was permitted to visit the boy, who is in the protective custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services, but not to take him from the hospital. Police said Allen had been living at a halfway house for drug addicts in North Hollywood.
Allen did not want her son turned over to foster parents, Allen’s sister, Laurie Allen, said Thursday.
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