Woman admits snatching teen for her baby

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) -- A 20-year-old Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to snatching a pregnant teenager she met online in a foiled plot to wait out delivery and steal the newborn.

Lauren Gash pleaded guilty Friday to kidnapping, assaulting and restraining 18-year-old Amanda Howard in a motel room a year ago.

Gash and her lawyer said in court she planned to raise the baby as her own.

Investigators believe the plan failed after a co-defendant, Alisa Betts, got scared and called police. Officers arrived at the motel to find duct tape around Howard's neck.

A few days later, Howard delivered a healthy boy.

Betts is charged with kidnapping, assault and felonious restraint.

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