Woman gets 30 years for kidnapping, assault

UNION, Mo. (AP) — A woman who slashed a young mother's throat and kidnapped her newborn in rural eastern Missouri, setting off a frantic search that drew national attention, was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.

The woman Shannon Torrez attacked two years ago testified at her sentencing hearing. Stephenie Ochsenbine said she remembered being covered in blood and pleading with Torrez while her 1-year-old son, who also was covered in his mother's blood, watched the attack.

"You gave me no regard and no caring to my pleading," she said to Torrez. Ochsenbine said she becomes panicked whenever she sees her attacker in court and whenever her children are out of her sight.

Torrez, 38, of Lonedell, entered an Alford plea in May to one count each of child kidnapping, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. She did not admit guilt with her plea but conceded there was enough evidence for a guilty verdict.

Prosecutor Robert Parks said Torrez will serve at least 25 1/2 years in prison.

Abby Woods was 7 days old when she was abducted Sept. 15, 2006, about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis in Franklin County. The search ended five days later when Abby was found unharmed.