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Former Texas Prison Guard Arraigned on Charges She Snatched Month-Old Girl

Aired August 15, 2002 - 12:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A former Texas prison guard was arraigned this morning on charges that she snatched a month-old girl outside an Abilene Wal-Mart. The baby's mother was battered and bruised while trying to hold on to the fleeing car, but she says her spirit was never broken.
With more on the reunion, and the action in court, let's go to Ed Lavandera in Abilene.

Hi, there Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, this morning, that suspect appearing in court today. The police have charged 24-year-old Paula Lynne Roach with aggravated kidnapping. She is being held on a $200,000 bond. She made a quick court appearance this morning, just a housekeeping matter to let her know the formal charges entitled against her, letting her know her rights.

At one point, she asked the judge if the aggravated part of that charge could be dropped. The judge told her she would have to take that up with the district attorney's office, but no one here in Abilene thinks that is likely to happen. It's aggravated, because several people were injured in this altercation and in this abduction.

The mother of 1-month-old Nancy Chavez was dragged alongside the car as police say Paula Lynne Roach sped away with 1-month-old Nancy inside. She was injured in the process, and it's also aggravated because of the age of the child. Nancy -- Paula Lynne Roach, not speaking as she left the courthouse. She would not answer any. She was taken back to the county jail here in Abilene.

As far as the family is concerned, this reunion is the end of an emotional roller coaster ride. You might imagine, since the very moment she was abducted, the fear and the anxiety that went through the Chavez family, particularly Margarita Chavez, who was coming out of a Wal-Mart with her three children. She had loaded all three children into her minivan. She turned just away a few seconds after putting the kids inside the car to return a shopping cart. Police say she did not walk away more than 10 feet, and that was all it took for this abduction to take place.

So for Margarita Chavez, when little Nancy returned here to the police station and she was returned, an emotional moment, and if you've seen those video images, you will understand clearly what a parent like that must be going through when they see those images. So here the family resting and together this morning, as Paula Lynne Roach continues her course through the legal system now, and what's -- appear will be a lengthy process will take several months to get her before a trial.

Now back to you guys.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ed Lavandera, from Abilene, thank you very much.

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