INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana woman with a history of miscarriages faked a pregnancy for nine months, then stabbed a couple in an attempt to kidnap their newborn son and pass him off as her own, police said Thursday.
Stephanie Foster, 34, of Terre Haute was arrested Wednesday in Prairie Creek, Ind., about 10 miles southwest of Terre Haute, after police received a 911 call from Ashley Speer reporting that she was being attacked.
Foster was scheduled to make an initial court appearance by video Thursday afternoon. Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said he would ask that she be held without bond until Tuesday, when he plans to file formal charges that could include attempted murder, aggravated battery and attempted criminal confinement resulting in serious bodily injury.
There was no immediate record of an attorney for Foster. A phone number for Foster had been disconnected.
Sheriff Jon Marvel said Foster had faked the pregnancy because she didn't want to tell her husband that she had suffered another miscarriage. As her supposed "due date" approached, she scoured birth announcements and decided to target the Speers, he said.
Marvel said Foster told police she stopped at the Speers' home Wednesday "with no intent to hurt the couple at all" and asked to use their phone. She dialed a random number, then hung up. Then she retrieved a toy pistol from her car and returned to the house, he said.
Marvel said she then pulled out a folding knife and began stabbing Ashley Speer while her husband, Michael, slept in a nearby bedroom.
Police said Michael Speer heard the attack and was stabbed while subduing Foster before police arrived. Ashley Speer called 911 during the attack, Marvel said.
Ashley Speer was in stable condition at an Indianapolis hospital Thursday with stab wounds to the arms and back. Her husband was treated for cuts to his arms and leg and released, Marvel said.
Marvel said the couple's son, who was in a crib in the living room, slept through the attack. He was staying with relatives Thursday.