Allyson Beauregard
SHAWVILLE – Nicole Shanks, a 32-year-old Shawville resident, has been charged with ten offences for attempting to abduct an eight day old baby boy in west end Ottawa on May 9 around 1:40 pm.
Allyson Beauregard
SHAWVILLE – Nicole Shanks, a 32-year-old Shawville resident, has been charged with ten offences for attempting to abduct an eight day old baby boy in west end Ottawa on May 9 around 1:40 pm.
The mother of the infant had engaged with Shanks through a social media group for new moms. Shanks had dropped off a gift at the new mother’s home on May 7.
“The woman returned to the family’s residence on Sunday and forcefully entered the home, used bear repellent spray (oleoresin of capsaicin) to
subdue the occupants, abducted the baby and left. Neighbours were alerted by the activity and intervened. One neighbor was able to locate the accused with the baby, a distance away from the residence, and detained her until police arrived.
The baby was attended to by Ottawa Paramedics who determined he was unharmed,” said the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (SACA) Unit in a statement.
The mother of the infant described the incident in a social media post, which garnered a lot of attention. “She was saying ‘he’s my baby, I’m bringing him home’,” she wrote, noting her daughter was also sprayed.
SACA investigators believe Shanks may have been in contact with other new mothers via social media mother groups. She remains in custody and appeared in court on May 14 facing ten charges: three counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life and one count each of abduction of a person under fourteen, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, break and enter, assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, harassment by watching and besetting, and assault.
The investigation continues. Anyone with information regarding the abduction is asked to call the Sexual Assault Child Abuse Unit at 613-
236-1222, ext. 5944.
