Kidnaping Charge Is Filed : Courts: Woman will be arraigned May 15 in connection with the disappearance of a Santa Ana baby outside a store at South Coast Plaza.

A Central Valley woman who allegedly admitted to police that she snatched a 4-month-old Santa Ana infant was charged Tuesday with kidnaping and car theft in connection with the case.

Maria Luisa Martinez, 36, did not enter a plea to the charges during a brief appearance in Harbor Municipal Court, and her arraignment was postponed until May 15. Martinez, who was confined to a holding cell in the courtroom, told Judge Christopher W. Strople that she could not afford to hire an attorney.

Strople ordered Martinez to return to court for arraignment May 15, when a public defender will be appointed. She remains in Orange County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Costa Mesa Police have said that Martinez, who lives in the small agricultural town of Delano in the Bakersfield area, kidnaped Steffany Zamora on April 22 outside a Sears Roebuck & Co. store at South Coast Plaza after befriending her family.

Martinez and Steffany’s aunt had taken the infant to the store to have her portrait taken. Police have said Martinez disappeared with the baby when the aunt made a phone call.

The kidnaping sparked a communitywide search in which flyers were distributed in various parts of the county. But it took an anonymous tip from a Delano resident who had seen the child’s picture on a television program.

Martinez was arrested April 29, and the infant was reunited with her parents. Martinez was in a stolen car at the time of her arrest, police allege.

Delano Police Detective Robert Rodriguez said Martinez also told police that she had a stillborn baby last year.