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Warrant activated as accused baby thief misses court again

Published:Wednesday | October 2, 2019 | 12:00 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The St James Circuit Court yesterday activated a warrant for the arrest of Melissa Harriot, the woman accused of stealing a baby at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay earlier this year, after she failed to attend court for the third date in a row.

Presiding High Court Justice Glen Brown initially issued the warrant on September 25 after Harriot’s first no-show, but it was not activated after her lawyer, Michael Hemmings, told the court that his client was travelling from outside Montego Bay.

Prior to the warrant’s activation yesterday, lead prosecutor Maxine Jackson argued that Harriot had been well-informed of the dates when she was to attend court.

“Not only does she (Harriot) know when the matter is at court, she knows that the matter is still in St James,” the no-nonsense Jackson told Justice Brown.

The case against Harriot was transferred to the Circuit Court for trial on September 25 following a committal hearing in the St James Parish Court on July 3.

During the committal hearing in the Parish Court, Harriot was offered bail in the sum of $200,000 with two sureties and a stop order was issued to prevent her from leaving the country.

It is alleged that on Friday, January 4, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the infant and her mother were visiting Cornwall Regional Hospital, when the mother was befriended by Harriot. Shortly after, the mother reportedly left the baby in Harriot’s care and went to use the restroom.

Upon the mother’s return, both Harriot and the baby were missing. A report was subsequently made to the Mount Salem Police Station and investigations led the police to Greens district in Norwood, St James, two days later, where Harriot, her boyfriend, and the child were found.

Harriot was arrested and later charged, while the child was safely returned to her parents.

Under Section 69 of the Offences Against the Person Act, Harriot could face a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment if convicted.

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