Friday, October 14, 2005
CNN: Police: Woman prepared for child
"Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (AP)- A woman accused of cutting her pregnant neighbor's abdomen with a knife in an attempt to steal her baby had a bassinet and a baby swing waiting at her home, police say.
Peggy Jo Conner, 38, was arraigned Thursday on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault and jailed without bail.
'Clearly, she was expecting a child coming in shortly,' prosecutor Scott Andreassi said. 'There's nothing to indicate she was pregnant.'
The attack Wednesday on Valerie Oskin was stopped before her baby was taken because a teenager on an all-terrain vehicle came across the women, police said.
Oskin, 30, underwent an emergency Caesarean section at a hospital. State police said Friday that Oskin was improving and doctors were expected to remove her breathing tube.
'She's coming around,' said Lt. Thomas Dubovi.
Oskin was believed to have been eight months pregnant, authorities said.
Thomas Wilks, who says he is Conner's husband but is separated from her, called the allegations against her 'impossible'and said she truly was pregnant.
'I got a sonogram saying she is pregnant,' Wilks told reporters. 'I felt the baby kick in her stomach.' He added that Conner is the mother of three children, ages 16, 14 and 11.
Conner and Oskin had a 'close friendship,' Wilks said. 'It was getting closer as the days went by. They were pregnant together. They were helping each other out.'..."
Peggy Jo Conner, 38, was arraigned Thursday on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault and jailed without bail.
'Clearly, she was expecting a child coming in shortly,' prosecutor Scott Andreassi said. 'There's nothing to indicate she was pregnant.'
The attack Wednesday on Valerie Oskin was stopped before her baby was taken because a teenager on an all-terrain vehicle came across the women, police said.
Oskin, 30, underwent an emergency Caesarean section at a hospital. State police said Friday that Oskin was improving and doctors were expected to remove her breathing tube.
'She's coming around,' said Lt. Thomas Dubovi.
Oskin was believed to have been eight months pregnant, authorities said.
Thomas Wilks, who says he is Conner's husband but is separated from her, called the allegations against her 'impossible'and said she truly was pregnant.
'I got a sonogram saying she is pregnant,' Wilks told reporters. 'I felt the baby kick in her stomach.' He added that Conner is the mother of three children, ages 16, 14 and 11.
Conner and Oskin had a 'close friendship,' Wilks said. 'It was getting closer as the days went by. They were pregnant together. They were helping each other out.'..."
