Dying mom desperately tried to stop newborn’s kidnapping
April 18, 2012
(CNN) — Wounded by multiple gunshots, Kala Golden nevertheless made an attempt to save her 3-day-old son from a kidnapper.
Witnesses said Golden, 28, who was shot outside a Houston-area pediatrician’s office Tuesday, screamed and attempted to chase after the car with her son inside, CNN affiliate KTRK reported.
The car struck Golden as it left the scene, the station said. She died later at a hospital.
A 30-year-old registered nurse faces capital murder charges in Golden’s death, according to an arrest report.
Verna McClain of Houston was arrested just before midnight Tuesday, according to the report. She is accused of fatally shooting Golden and kidnapping 3-day-old Keegan Schuchardt.
The baby was found about six hours later, authorities said, and was being reunited with his father.
According to the arrest report, Golden was leaving the Northwoods Pediatric Center in the Houston suburb of Spring Tuesday afternoon, carrying Keegan, when the incident took place.
“The defendant confronted Mrs. Golden and shot her multiple times in the parking lot,” then took the baby and left, the report said.
McClain’s vehicle was found at an apartment complex, according to the report. McClain returned to the apartment as the investigation was continuing and asked to speak to police, the report said.
“She admitted to shooting Mrs. Golden and taking her baby,” the arrest report said. “The defendant admitted to taking the child to her residence in Harris County, which is where Keegan was later located.”
During an interview with authorities, McClain provided information that only someone at the scene would know, the report said.
KTRK reported the baby was found at a home in north Harris County.
McClain’s sister, Corina Jackson, told police her sister had said she would be adopting a child soon.
“After killing Golden and kidnapping Keegan, defendant stated to Corina that she now had the child and would be needing to do the adoption, indicating that the abduction of the child was her motive for killing Golden,” the report said.
Authorities said Tuesday that Golden and the woman parked next to her at the doctor’s office apparently spoke to one another or argued before the shooting.
“They were talking,” witness Tia Collins told KTRK. “I did see the lady get out, and they were struggling.” She said she heard gunshots and saw Golden fall.
The shooting shocked many in Spring, 20 miles north of Houston.
Jennifer Hartis, a friend of the victim, was one of the many left wondering why.
“She never did anything wrong. She’s just a mom doing her best to take care of her kids, and I miss her,” Hartis told KPRC. “Keegan is only 3 days old. He’s needs to know his mom, and she can’t do that now. “
Henry Schuchardt, Keegan’s paternal grandfather, told the affiliate he was searching for answers.
“I wished I knew. I wished I knew,” the crestfallen grandfather said. “I don’t know how they could do this.”
— CNN’s Nick Valencia contributed to this report.