Girl's kidnapper acted alone, prosecutor says
After months of investigation, including use of a grand jury, Philadelphia prosecutors have concluded that the woman charged in the January abduction and sexual assault of a 5-year-old West Philadelphia girl acted alone.
"We have no evidence to suggest that she acted with anyone else, that anyone else was involved or knew what was going on," Assistant District Attorney Erin O'Brien said after Wednesday's hearing for Christina Regusters.
During the hearing, O'Brien's assessment of the case against Regusters, 20, took aback Common Pleas Court Judge Chris R. Wogan, who asked several times if Regusters might yet be charged with conspiracy or human trafficking.
O'Brien, however, told Wogan there was no evidence that the Jan. 14 kidnapping of the girl from Bryant School in West Philadelphia was part of a human trafficking ring.
O'Brien's conclusion was met with skepticism by attorneys for Regusters and the mother of the young victim.
"I am not convinced of that," said defense attorney W. Fred Harrison Jr. "I can't fathom this would be her idea at all."
Thomas R. Kline, who is representing the child's mother in a potential lawsuit, also discounted O'Brien's conclusion.
"I believe additional individuals were involved in this horrible crime and hope and trust that the District Attorney's Office and the Philadelphia Police Department will continue its investigation," Kline said.
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