Atlanta Daily World

Baby Snatcher Given 12 Months' Sentence

Entering a plea of guilty in the May 27 kidnapping of a one-week old baby from Grady hospital, Mrs. Fannie Russell of 324 S, Chapel St. S. W. Apt. 197, was given a 12-months-sentence in Fulton Superior Court, Friday.

The soft-spoken, middle-aged defendant was accused of having spirited away little Minnie Mae Butts from the hospital waiting room while its young mother, Mrs. Mae Lizzie Butts, was being administered medical treatment only a few feet away.

At the time of the alleged kidnapping the mother stated she had left the baby in care of her landlady. Mrs. Emma Sanford, who said she allowed Mrs. Russell to hold the baby while she went to its mother's side to learn of her condition.

BABY MISSED

Upon her return to the waiting room. Mrs Sanford said that both, the baby and Mrs. Russell were missing.

Excited and bewildered over the absence of the missing tot. the frustrated landlady said she made a frantic search and numerous inquiries of its whereabouts- but to no avail. With the aid of hospital attaches a thorough search was made throughout the clinic.

This too, proved in vain. Baby Minnie Mae could be found nowhere.

Finally in desperation, the dejected landlady reported the matter to police, who started immediate investigation.

The baby. when found, was said to have had a change of clothing and a piece of cotton had been taped over its navel. When the detectives ordered Mrs. Russell to dress and come with them. she reportedly asked if they were going to take her baby.

Upon confronting the father of the child, it was then Mrs. Russell reportedly admitted it was not her baby

A spirit of joy illuminated the Sanford household upon the return of baby Minnie Mae Mrs. Sanford, the landlady, said she was so happy as she could do was just stare at it

DENIES CHARGE

When arraigned before Recorders court for hearing, Mrs. Russell, who appeared very shy, denied having kidnapped the baby. Through testimony of the detectives and an orderly at the hospital, however, it was said that she employed an ambulance to transport her from the hospital to her residence.

A neighbor of the accused said she witnessed the arrival of the ambulance at the Russell residence and was amazed to see her wheeled into her home with a new born baby. saying that only a few hours hence she had seen her leave the residence apparently for the hospital.

Following the hearing in Recorders court wherein Mrs. Russell was bound over on a kidnapping charge under a $1,000 bond, other neighbors said Mrs. Russell's husband was said to have believed the baby to be his. He was greatly disappointed to learn otherwise, they added.

Mrs. Russell for some time prior to her arrest showed semblance to an expectant condition, a witness in Recorders court said. Such semblance was not noticeable in Recorders court, she added.

Little Minnie Mae. who has grown into a sizeable young girl since the incident occurred will have plenty to talk about when she grows up, Mrs. Sanford said jokingly.