Grandma Accused of Abducting 6-Month-Old Baby Faces Charges

A Huntington Beach grandmother, who police say has a history of mental illness, faces a charge of child stealing in the abduction of her 6-month-old granddaughter that touched off an Amber Alert that led investigators to Arizona last night.

Carolyn Ferguson took the girl, Laylani Mosely, from her home Wednesday morning, triggering a search that ended in a convenience store in Tonopah, Ariz., according to Huntington Beach police Lt. Mitch O'Brien.

Ferguson had stopped taking her medication and her family told investigators she had been "talking about the end of the world" as her mental health appeared to deteriorate, O'Brien said.

Ferguson left with the girl without a cell phone or any food for the baby, O'Brien said.

About 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, someone recognized Ferguson because of the Amber Alert and a store clerk called 911, O'Brien said. Ferguson was "acting strangely," and her granddaughter was not being cared for properly, O'Brien said.

The PT Cruiser Ferguson was driving was found along Interstate 10 in Arizona disabled, O'Brien said.

The baby was taken to an area hospital as a precautionary measure and was considered in good health, O'Brien said. Laylani was reunited with her mother last night.

An arrest warrant issued out of California accuses Ferguson of child stealing. She is being held in Maricopa County where she awaits extradition, O'Brien said.

--City News Service