Woman accused of trying to abduct infant arrested

$PHOTOCREDIT_ON$Associated Press$PHOTOCREDIT_OFF$

MUNCIE, Ind. — A woman accused of wrapping a cord around a mother’s throat and demanding she hand over her 3-week-old daughter has been arrested.

Police say Judith Ann Walker, 34, was working as an exterminator with Affordable Pest Control conducting a follow-up visit at the home shortly before noon Friday when she attacked the mother and threatened to harm her if she didn’t give her the baby, The Star Press reported.

Walker was arrested Saturday on preliminary charges of attempted murder, criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon and strangulation. She was being held without bond Saturday at the Delaware County jail. Jail records did not indicate whether she had hired an attorney.

Muncie police Lt. Steve Cox said the mother was sitting in a chair with her infant when she was attacked.

“The suspect came up behind her, wrapped the cord around her neck and basically made threats that she wanted the child or she was going to physically harm the mother,” Cox said.

Cox said the mother was able to fight off the attack and escape out the back door. Neither the baby nor the mother was seriously injured, Cox said.

“Thank goodness that the mom was strong enough to fight her off and prevent this,” he said.

Cox said Muncie officers were “familiar” with Walker before Friday’s incident, but declined to elaborate. Court records show charges are pending in Madison County of possession of a controlled substance and battery resulting in injury. An initial hearing in that case is scheduled for July 8.