Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Kidnapped Maury County Baby Found In Lawrence

   An acquaintance of a woman who allegedly kidnapped a Maury County infant Sunday night turned the baby over to local authorities after seeing an Amber Alert that was aired regarding the kidnapping.

   The Amber Alert for two-month-old Alaina Christine Thurman was issued just after 12:00 Sunday night through the Maury County Sheriff’s Department. They reported that the infant had been kidnapped by thirty-six-year-old Melanie Bennett, the girlfriend of the infant’s grandfather. The baby had been at her grandfather’s home when she was kidnapped.

   Authorities indicated that, in the wake of an argument with her boyfriend, Bennett took the child and left Maury County. The Amber Alert warned that Bennett and the baby were traveling in a white 2000 model Chevrolet Blazer that bore a temporary tag. Family members had reported that Bennett might be en route either to Bedford or Lawrence County.

   Around 3:00 a.m., reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department show that Fifth Street resident April Nichole Haddock walked into the sheriff’s department with the infant. Haddock reported that Bennett had come to her home earlier in the night. After she left, she told deputies, she heard the Amber Alert.

   Haddock told deputies she quickly began looking for Bennett, locating her at a Fourth Street home. She stated that she went inside and got the baby, then came to the sheriff’s department.

   Deputies notified Lawrenceburg Police Officers of the location of Bennett, then notified Maury County authorities that the baby had been located.

   Bennett was taken into custody on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping. She was released into the custody of Maury County authorities and transported back to the Maury County Jail to be held without bond.

   The baby was released into the custody of her mother, Kim Thurman, at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department at 3:45 a.m.

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