NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) An attorney for a woman whose 4-day old baby was kidnapped after she was stabbed is accusing the Nashville police of trying to portray her and her husband as criminals.
Nashville television stations reported this week that the woman accused in the kidnapping sent letters from jail claiming family members sold the baby to her for $25,000.
On Friday, attorney Elliott Ozment responded that the accusations "defy credibility" because of the extensive injuries mother Maria Gurrola suffered in the attack. Ozment accused Nashville police of lending credence to the accusations by making ambiguous statements to the media.
Police spokesman Don Aaron responded that there is no definitive evidence indicating the parents were involved but the case is still open.
"There are unresolved questions as to how and why this particular child was chosen," he said.
Aaron added that the department was assisting Gurrola, originally of Durango, Mexico, in filing a claim for victim's compensation.
"I'm frustrated the police department is taking Latino victims and trying to turn them into criminals," Ozment said, citing Gurrola's case as well as the case of a former client, Rudy Aguilar, who was taken into custody after his wife and child were murdered.
Aaron called the allegations ridiculous. "It was my belief Ms. Gurrola was very pleased with law enforcement for locating and returning her child."
The state Department of Children's Services took emergency custody of baby Yahir Anthony Carrillo and his three siblings shortly after the infant was recovered, based on information from the police that family members may have tried to sell the baby.
Three days later, DCS returned the children shortly before a scheduled court hearing on their custody. Metro Nashville Police later said the parents had been cleared of any wrongdoing. But accusations against them were revived this week by letters to local television stations purportedly dictated to another inmate by Tammy Silas, the Alabama woman who has been indicted in the kidnapping.
Silas' attorney Isaiah Gant has said he could not confirm that his client dictated the letters.
Silas pleaded not guilty to the charges in a preliminary hearing on Monday. She has not been charged in the knife attack on Gurrola.
"Just because Silas has been arrested and is facing federal kidnapping charges does not mean the case is over," Aaron said. "Further federal charges are still possible and state charges in the area of attempted homicide are possible."
Ozment said he has asked the police for any files related to their investigation of the parents but they have refused to turn them over because of the ongoing investigation.
"I asked them to clarify whether the case against the parents is still open but they refused to specify," he said.
Gurrola, who would not speak about the case at Ozment's request, said she was enjoying being with her baby son and seeing him smile. He is now close to two months old.
"We're happy because we're together and our kids are with us, and they're healthy, praise God," she said.
Ozment said the entire family is receiving psychological counseling and has moved from the house where the attack occurred because it holds such traumatic memories.
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