STEPHEN RICCIO
Ottawa May 10, 2021
The Ottawa Police arrested and charged a 32 year-old Shawville woman with numerous offences following the abduction of an infant on May 10, after she was arrested on May 9.
The accused, Nicole Shanks, is alleged to have . . .
visited the victims’ home in Barrhaven at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Mother’s Day, after having been in contact with the baby’s mother on a social media chat group for new moms, according to a statement from police.
Police say that under the pretense that she had a gift basket for the new mom, Shanks foarced her way in using bear repellent spray to overpower the occupants before abducting the baby and leaving.
After neighbours were made aware of the ongoing abduction, one was able to find the woman and the abducted baby and restrain her until Ottawa Police arrived. Paramedics tended to the baby and found that he was unharmed.
According to a press release from the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (SACA) Unit, the accused is facing 11 total charges: administering noxious substance with intent to endanger life (three counts), abduction of a person under 14, assault, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, breaking and entering of a house with intent, assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and harassment by watching and besetting.
SACA investigators believe that Shanks may have been in contact with other new mothers via social media mom groups. Anyone with information relating to this abduction can call SACA at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944.
