Accused baby snatcher had child passport - Judge demands to know how

Kingston and St Andrew parish judge Sanchia Burrell yesterday asserted to the court that someone else may have a case to answer, joining alleged child thief, 28-year-old Peta-Gaye Ffrench.

Ffrench is charged with child stealing and was further remanded when the matter was called up yesterday. She is charged with stealing Sae'breon Hutton, who was stolen some nine hours after he was born on January 9 at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital.

The prosecution told the court that the evidence relating to a child passport and an ID, which was presented by Ffrench when she went to register the baby at the Registrar General's Department (RGD), are outstanding.

The court heard that there is an ongoing investigation surrounding the passport and how Ffrench gained possession of it.

Burrell said: "I have to commend the investigating officer for continuing his investigation. This is very interesting. Someone else may need to join her in the dock. A passport is given at the time of birth, so how did she (obtain one)?"

The prosecution advised the court that a passport is issued at the time of birth while the mother is with the child, but the accused had one before.

The court was informed that the passport had information containing the name of the child, date of birth, place of birth, and mother's name.

Ffrench's attorney, Rachel Donaldson, told the court that she will file a bail application for her client on April 18.

Burrell also gave the prosecution until March 29 to make full disclosure. A new committal bundle date was also set for April 18.

Ffrench was further remanded until then.