Accused fetus snatcher waives hearing

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Kansas woman accused of kidnapping an 8-month fetus from a strangled pregnant woman will remain in custody while awaiting an indictment.

Lisa M. Montgomery waived her right to a preliminary hearing and did not contest remaining in jail, the Kansas City Star said Friday.

Montgomery, 36, of Melvern, Kan., has not entered a plea. The case is expected to go before a federal grand jury next month. If the grand jury returns an indictment, Montgomery would be arraigned and would enter a plea at that time.

Montgomery is accused of a Dec. 16 kidnapping of a fetus from the womb of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant. Stinnett died in the attack in her Skidmore, Mo., home.

The baby, named Victoria Jo Stinnett, survived and is with her father.