Woman Arrested For Baby Abduction Appears Before A Judge
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – It's the happy reunion between mother and daughter.
Two month old Taraji Kemp was kidnapped Friday night. Her aunt said the family is thrilled to have her back.
"We're very happy she's here," said Martine Augustin, Kemp's aunt. "It's like a blessing to have her around with her parents, they're getting back together bonding and loving."
Her cousin Stephanie Augustin, and another cousin who's just 14, were arrested and charged in the case.
Stephanie, who appeared before a judge on Monday, cried in court as the judge read the charges against her.
Detectives say Stephanie and the 14-year-old bought a gun at Wal-Mart then pulled off a home invasion Friday night, snatching the child from their cousin. Her family is stunned.
"It's a family member that was taken, and they're close," said Betty Augustin, Stephanie's sister. "Her and the mother are very close. I don't know what happened."
Taraji was found abandoned and alone, strapped in her car seat at Stephanie's apartment near Orlando.
Stephanie, meanwhile, was arrested in her car, heading back to South Florida. Her family thinks she may need help.
"I would like to get some kind of medical screening for her, mentally," said Betty.
According to investigators, Stephanie told a friend she gave birth to a baby in January -- when really she had a miscarriage.
Broward Sheriff's Office said Stephanie also said she wanted a baby of her own. For now, everyone involved is trying to figure out how to handle this difficult family mess.
In the meantime, mom and dad are relieved their little girl is home where she belongs.
"She's healthy, she's smiling she's beaufitul," said Martine. "She's been cooing and babbling all morning long. As soon a s she saw her mom she just lit up. She saw her dad she stated talking, her little brothers excited."
