Woman who sparked Amber Alert held on $250,000 bail
May 6, 2014, 5:57 PM | Updated: May 7, 2014, 7:37 am
The Bremerton woman who triggered an Amber Alert Monday after taking her 6-year-old son from his grandmother at knifepoint, has been ordered held on $250,000 bail.
Sandra June Bennatts, 34, is being held on investigation of kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, auto theft and residential burglary, the Seattle Times reports.
Officials say Bennatts’ mother was granted custody of the boy because of her “deteriorating mental health and neglect” of her son.
Bennatts allegedly broke into her mother’s Auburn home Sunday evening, assaulted the woman, tied her up and took the child, according to the statement of probable cause.
Bennatts allegedly took her mother’s SUV and cell phone as well.
Bennatts’ mother was able to free herself early Monday morning and called 911, triggering the Amber Alert.
A Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy spotted the SUV on Highway 2 and tried to pull it over. The deputy called off the chase when Bennatts reached speeds of nearly 95 mph, police say. Police say they were able to track her by pinging the stolen cell phone.
The woman eventually ran out of gas near milepost 60 just past Stevens Pass and was arrested by Chelan County sheriff’s deputies.
Her son was found safe inside the vehicle.
