Proud Couple Showed Off Baby Cut From Womb

Friends and neighbors of a Kansas couple were excited for them when they showed of their new baby at a local cafe and at their pastor's home, but the joy turned to shock and dismay when they discovered the baby was cut from the womb of a slain Missouri woman.

A Kansas woman has been charged with kidnapping resulting in death in connection with the murder of Bobbie Stinnett of Skidmore, Missouri and the cutting of her unborn child from her womb. The baby was recovered alive and healthy at the Melvern, Kansas home of Kevin and Lisa Montgomery.

Lisa M. Montgomery, 36, has been accused of going to Stinnett's home on the pretense of buying a dog, strangling the 21-year-old pregnant Bobbie Stinnett, and then cutting the premature baby girl from her womb. Police records indicate that Montgomery admitted to taking Stinnett's baby and lying to her husband about giving birth.

Lisa M. Montgomery
Police photo

Police took two people into custody after a frantic day-long search for the Stinnett baby girl lead them to the home of Lisa Montgomery. Reports said Lisa Montgomery was showing her new baby off at a cafe and to their pastor, before her arrest.

The baby was taken to a Topeka, Kansas hospital and later reunited with her father, Zeb Stinnett, husband of Bobbie Jo Stinnett. Zeb named the baby Victoria Jo, and said she was a "miracle."

Authorities had been searching for a red Honda hatchback in connection with the Amber Alert for the missing baby. A vehicle matching the description in the alert was parked outside the Kansas home, news reports said. A telephone tip lead investigators to the scene.

Zeb and Bobbie Stinnett were apparently a typical small town American couple, living on West Elm Street, in their howmtown. They had been married for a little more than a year and were expecting their first child. Both worked at a local Skidmore factory that makes all terrain vehicles. Zeb was at work Thursday afternoon when Bobbie's mother found her strangled, but still alive. Paramedics attempted to save Bobbie's life, but she died at the scene.

Bobbie Stinnett also raised Rat Terriers, participated in dog shows, and sold the registered puppies on her web site. Bobbie was very involved in the terrier community and kennel clubs; she was a Rat Terrier Breed Inspector and a licensed judge.

See Also:
Joy Over New Baby Turns to Shock Over Crime
Couple Proudly Displayed Infant Cut From Mother's Womb
N.C. Woman Helped Crack Stolen Fetus Case