I'm not completely convinced that mental illness is a factor in at least some cases, and maybe not in this one either. According to information compiled from analyses of 308 cases which occurred between 1983 and January 2017 the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children presented some characteristics of a typical infant abductor:
--Usually a female of childbearing age who appears pregnant.
--Most likely compulsive; most often relies on manipulation, lying and deception.
--Frequently indicates she has lost a baby or is incapable of having one.
--Often married or cohabitating; companion’s desire for a baby or the abductor’s desire to provide her companion with “his” baby may be the motivation for the abduction.
--Usually lives in the community where the abduction takes place.
--Frequently initially visits nursery and maternity units at more than one health care facility prior to the abduction; asks detailed questions about procedures and the maternity floor layout; frequently uses a fire exit stairwell for her escape; and may also try to abduct from the home setting.
--Usually plans the abduction, but does not necessarily target a specific infant; frequently seizes any opportunity present to abduct a baby.
--Frequently impersonates a nurse or other allied health care personnel.
--Often becomes familiar with health care staff members, staff member work routines and victim parents.
--Often demonstrates a capability to provide care to the baby once the abduction occurs, within her emotional and physical abilities.
In addition an abductor who abducts from the home setting (is):
--More likely to be single while claiming to have a partner.
--Often targets a mother whom she may find by visiting health care facilities and tries to meet the target family.
--Often plans the abduction and brings a weapon, although the weapon may not be used.
--Often impersonates a health care or social services professional when visiting the home.
http://www.missingkids.com/theissues/infantabductions
Furthermore, Cathy Nahirny, a senior analyst on infant abduction cases at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and John Rabun, executive vice president and chief operating officer had this to say in a 2011 interview with CNN:
More at the link.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/25/baby.abduction.profile/index.html
More info can be found here:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/11/women-who-murder-for-babies
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26532421/...htmare-babies-stolen-their-beds/#.WjyQCt-nHDc
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-equation/201206/dying-baby
I know each case needs to be looked at based on the particulars but it seems that more often than not a woman who steals a baby is trying to repair or secure a relationship with her partner. And frequently the woman comes up with a complex and well organized plan to steal a baby, including making props to fake her pregnancy and spinning a web of lies over a period of time.
Hopefully we'll hear more about Miranda-Alvarez' actions and gain some insight into her motives and learn how she rationalized and justified murdering her friend in order to get the baby she wanted. I do understand that it may turn out that she's mentally ill but I'm not going to go there just yet.
In any case, she needs to be removed from society, either in jail or in a psychiatric hospital. MOO.