UNION, Mo. (AP) — A woman who slashed a young mother and kidnapped her newborn entered into a plea deal Friday, and the prosecutor revealed additional details of the 2006 attack — including that the victim was stabbed repeatedly and her toddler son was tied up.

Shannon Torrez, 38, of Lonedell, Mo., entered an Alford plea to one count each of child kidnapping, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. Under the arrangement, she does not admit guilt but concedes there is sufficient evidence for a guilty verdict.

Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence. Sentencing testimony is set to begin May 27.

Abby Woods was kidnapped Sept. 15, 2006. Authorities said the week-old-baby's mother, Stephenie Ochsenbine, then 21, allowed Torrez into the family home, where Abby lived along with her mother, her father, James Woods, and her brother, Connor.

The two women lived just a few miles apart in the rural area about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis but did not know each other.

Franklin County prosecutor Robert Parks said Friday that Torrez knocked at Ochsenbine's door, said her car broke down and asked to use the phone. Once inside, she asked to use the bathroom, then came out pointing a gun at Ochsenbine and said she was taking the baby.

When Ochsenbine got between Torrez and Abby, Torrez threw her down and stabbed her in the back, Parks said.

Connor, then 1 year old, began to cry, and Torrez told Ochsenbine to make the child be quiet or she would hurt him, Parks said. When Ochsenbine raised her hand to protect Connor, Torrez stabbed her left hand, nearly severing her thumb.

Torrez then forced Ochsenbine to hold Connor as she tied them to a chair, Parks said.

"As (Torrez) went to pick up Baby Abby, Stephenie begged her to stop," Parks said. Torrez "then came behind Stephenie and proceeded to cut Stephenie's throat twice with the knife" as the young mother begged for her life.

Moments later, Ochsenbine managed to free herself. Torrez struck her in the head, knocking her to the floor, Parks said. Torrez then choked Ochsenbine until she passed out. Ochsenbine awoke to find herself and Connor tied up in the bathroom, with Abby gone.

Ochsenbine was hospitalized as a nationwide search began for Abby, who had a strawberry-red birthmark on her forehead. Five days after the kidnapping, Torrez's sister-in-law spotted the mark — which had been covered with makeup — and alerted police. The baby was unharmed.

Officers found a gun wrapped in a shirt at Shannon Torrez's home. DNA tests showed that blood on the shirt and gun were from Ochsenbine, Parks said.

Torrez's attorney Scott Rosenblum said his client's mental state will be the focus of the sentencing hearing. He declined to elaborate but said Torrez had delivered a stillborn baby just before the kidnapping.

"This has never been about condoning Shannon's behavior, excusing it," he said. "This is about explaining it."

Parks said prosecutors agreed to the plea in part to spare the family from reliving the crime.

"Stephenie was ready to go through a trial, but she really didn't want to go through the whole thing again," Parks said.

Ochsenbine sat in the front row of the courtroom Friday and showed little emotion. Woods kept his arm around her throughout the hearing, and the family declined to comment later.

Parks described Abby as "a typical 2-year-old and doing really well."

Strollers first up as Peebles chase five in a row for title

By KEITH ANDERSON

THE race for the Tyreman First Division title takes pride of place tonight when Peebles and Civil Service Strollers clash at Whitestone Park, kick-off 7.00pm.
Peebles can clinch the championship if they win their five remaining games as they would overtake current leaders Heriot-Watt University on goal difference. The students have already guaranteed themselves promotion, although Peebles, Civil Service a
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nd Tynecastle are all vying to go up with them.

Peebles' management team of Mark Lamb and Rab Paget have already declared that they will leave the club at the end of the season but want to go with promotion and preferably the title.

Craigroyston, meanwhile, entertain Whitehill Welfare in the King Cup second round tonight without Stevie Gordon and Aaran -Cummings, who were both sent off in the weekend 5-0 defeat by Annan Athletic. Whitehill boss Raymond Carr is likely to play Andrew Kidd and Alan Cornett, who were rested on Saturday in Whitehill's 2-1 defeat by Preston Athletic.

In the Tyreman Premier Division, Easthouses Lily face Annan needing one victory to ensure top flight survival.,

• LOTHIAN THISTLE defeated Tynecastle 4-2 in the second round of the King Cup at Fernieside last night. Veteran striker Phil O'Neill notched two goals while David Wright and Chris Sommerville grabbed one apiece. Robbie Arthur scored both goals for Tynecastle.

By Seattle Times staff

A 9-month-old baby drowned in a bathtub at a Des Moines apartment Tuesday morning when his mother stepped away to get a cup of coffee and prepare a bottle, according to Des Moines police.

The incident happened about 9:30 a.m. in an apartment in the 22900 block of Marine View Drive South.

Police said the 23-year-old mother, whose identity was not disclosed, stepped away during her baby's bath, leaving the baby unattended and returned to find him unresponsive.

Medics arrived at the scene but were unable to revive the baby.

Des Moines police are conducting an investigation, said spokesman Sgt. Bob Collins.

Pregnancy is hard work, and it's even harder when you're working while pregnant.

""By anticipating and planning for some of these challenges, working mothers-to-be can enjoy these nine months both on the job and off,"" Dr. Tamara Kuittinen, an emergency medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and an expecting mother, said in a prepared statement.

Colleague Dr. Laurie Zephyrin, an obstetrician/gynecologist, advises that pregnant working women bring any questions or concerns to their doctor, especially if they are older than 35 since those women run a higher risk for complications like preterm labor and preeclampsia.

""There are no signs or symptoms that you shouldn't discuss during your pregnancy. This will help us catch any potential problems that can be prevented or treated in order to keep you and your baby safe and healthy,"" Zephyrin said in a prepared statement.

Here are answers to what the two doctors said are the 10 most common questions about working while pregnant:

-------- How do I fit in doctor visits?

Visits start as monthly, then increase until they are weekly in your final month of pregnancy. Schedule appointments during your lunch break or find a doctor offering early and late hours. Don't skip visits. Regular, proper prenatal care lowers your risk of having a baby born with low birth weight or other problems.

Is it safe to see the dentist? Contrary to popular belief, dental hygiene during pregnancy is very important. Some studies link poor dental hygiene with preterm labor. However, tell your dentist that you're pregnant and avoid X-rays, if possible.

------ What can be done about morning sickness and fatigue?

Morning sickness usually occurs only in the first trimester. Cope with it by drinking and eating in small amounts throughout the day. If you can't keep down fluids, you should see your doctor. Eating balanced meals, taking prenatal vitamins and taking short naps may help with first trimester fatigue.

------------ What can I do about insomnia?

Insomnia is especially common in the second and third trimesters, when the increased size of your belly can cause back pain. Sleeping on your side may help. Try hugging a full-body pillow and staying on a regular sleep schedule. If you wake up, do something productive and focused like paying bills or reading a book.

----- Can I still drink coffee? You should reduce your caffeine intake as recent research shows that excessive caffeine may increase your miscarriage risk. You don't have to go cold turkey, but try to reduce when you can. Remember caffeine is present in some sodas and teas as well.

---- What should I eat?

Fruits, veggies, grains, protein and dairy are all essential. Keep a list of the food groups that you should get daily on the refrigerator with a list of specific foods in each group that you enjoy. Avoid fish high in mercury, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish and albacore tuna.

---- Can I still hit the gym?

Talk with your doctor about your exercise programs at your first prenatal visit. If you have a normal, low-risk pregnancy, it's safe to keep up your routine. In fact, it helps beat stress and keeps baby healthy by improving blood flow.

However, you may need to lessen the intensity or change methods as your pregnancy progresses. Your joints and ligaments are looser during pregnancy, so exercise that emphasizes stretching like yoga and Pilates may open you to more injury. Remember -- walking is a fantastic exercise and stress reliever.

---- Can I travel?

The best time to travel is between 14 and 28 weeks of your pregnancy unless you have a high-risk condition. Consult with your doctor first, especially if going to foreign countries. Keep a detailed copy of your pregnancy record with you at all times. If sitting for a long time during travel, try to get up for a walk at least once an hour to decrease your risk of forming blood clots in your legs. Also, consider wearing support or pressure stockings.

------ What if I get sick?

Check with your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter drugs. Stay away from natural remedies and supplements like echinacea that have not been studied on pregnant women. Urinary tract infections are common in pregnancy, so contact your doctor if you experience burning and irritation during urination. If your temperature is above 100.4, see your doctor.

----- How do I plan for delivery while still working?

Get your due date from your doctor and know the signs of labor. Have a game plan: suitcase ready with key items you will need in the hospital, someone at the ready to drive you to the hospital and take care of any of your other children while you're away. Research your job's maternity leave policies early on. Plan to return to work only when you're physically and emotionally ready.

(HealthDay News)