The 17-year-old accused of taking her friends 5-week-old baby to get a holiday photo and not coming back appeared before a Putnam County judge Wednesday. Charteria Pittman was ordered held for 21 days in the Gainesville Juvenile Justice Detention Center. She can be released to the custody of her mother on Jan. 6 while she awaits trial on charges of interfering with child custody, a third-degree felony. The Sheriffs Office said Demarions 18-year-old mother, Donshay Hampton, allowed Pittman to take the boy on Monday morning under the pretense of going to Kmart to have photos taken. When Pittman didnt return or answer her calls by Monday night, Hamptons family called the Palatka Police Department. An Amber Alert was issued about 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. James Griffith, Palatkas interim police chief, said Pittman had reached out to her family after hearing about the Amber Alert, telling them she was concerned for her safety. Police, aided by the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies, tracked Pittmans cellphone and social media use and intercepted her, Demarion and three friends in the Regency area of Jacksonville just before noon. Demarion was returned to an anxious, emotional family Tuesday afternoon. Pittman was also returned to Palatka, where she was charged with interference with child custody, a third-degree felony. Pittman cried during much of Wednesdays court hearing, which was attended by Donshay Hampton and other members of the boys family. Demarions mom stood by Pittmans side as defense lawyers asked for a minimal penalty. Hampton told the judge there were no apparent injuries to the baby, but he had been vomiting since he was brought home. Prosecutors said its because his formula was changed when he was taken. Given that information, Judge Scott Dupont denied Pittman bond, ordering her to 21 days of detention before shell be released to await trial. She had permission to get the baby, said Pittmans grandmother, Kathy Andrews, as she left the courtroom. It wasnt no kidnapping. Andrews said Pittman had just suffered a miscarriage. She just lost the daughter, and I feel like that had something to do with it, Andrews said. Demarion was sleeping at home during the hearing. His uncle said the baby had started to take the bottle better. We went and got the proper stuff he needed, said Lenwell Watts. We hate that it had to happen that way. Were just glad hes back. news4jax/news/teen-accused-of-taking-baby-ordered-held-21-days/30278870
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:07:16 +0000
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