Judge orders fitness evaluation for kidnapping suspect

JONESBORO, Ill. -- An Anna, Ill., woman accused of kidnapping an infant will undergo an evaluation for fitness to stand trial after a Union County circuit judge ruled there is "bona fide doubt" about her ability to assist in her own defense.

Karen Nichols, 44, faces felony charges of aggravated kidnapping of a child younger than 13, armed robbery and aggravated unlawful restraint.

A Johnston City, Ill., woman reported the kidnapping of her newborn child June 28 from a location in rural Union County, prompting an investigation, Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds reported in a news release earlier this month.

Nichols was arrested at her home in rural Anna, Ill., where officers found a child who was taken into protective custody before being reunited with his mother, the news release stated.

Nichols had been scheduled for arraignment Tuesday, but her attorney, public defender Patrick Duffy, on July 10 filed a motion for evaluation for fitness, court records show.

In court Tuesday, Duffy told Circuit Judge Mark M. Boie he had questions about his client's ability to assist in preparing her own defense.

"I do have questions on her ability to assist me and communicate with me," Duffy said.

Boie sustained Duffy's motion to have Nichols evaluated for fitness to stand trial.

"I will find, based upon the report of Mr. Duffy, that there is a bona fide doubt as to Ms. Nichols' fitness," he said.

A status hearing in the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 27.

A probable-cause affidavit filed in the case stated Nichols "knowingly and secretly confined B.M.S., a child under the age of 13 years, against his will."

According to the affidavit, she also took two mobile phones from another woman while threatening her with a knife.

Aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery are Class X felonies punishable by six to 30 years in prison. Aggravated unlawful restraint is a Class 3 felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Anna, IL