8-Day-Old Infant Abducted By His Mother's Facebook Friend

A Canadian woman broke into a home and abducted an 8-day-old boy after spraying bear spray on the infant’s mother whom she had met on Facebook. The alleged baby snatcher was arrested and the child was safely returned to his mother, police said Monday, May 10.

In a release, police said the accused, 32-year-old Nicole Shanks, met the unnamed victim through a Facebook group for new mothers.

Shanks obtained the victim’s address and then dropped off a gift at the woman’s west-end Ottawa home on Friday, local outlet Global News reported.

"The accused got in contact with the mother through a chat group on Facebook. The accused informed the mother that she had won a prize and she delivered it on Friday. That's how she was able to obtain the address," Ottawa Police Staff Sgt. Martin Groulx told reporters at a press conference Monday afternoon.

The accused baby snatcher returned to the home Sunday afternoon and allegedly forced her way inside. She sprayed bear repellent on the mother and everyone inside before grabbing the newborn and running off.

Neighbors who were alerted by the commotion chased the accused baby-snatcher and managed to detain her until officers arrived.

Ottawa paramedics assessed the infant and found him unharmed. The family members were also treated for their minor injuries.

The mother wrote in a Facebook post that Shanks claimed the newborn was actually hers.

"[S]he bear maced me in the face and screamed that I stole her baby. She took my son and ran off with him and my neighbor took off and thankfully got him back unharmed," the mother wrote.

"My daughter was maced and it took hours to be able to open my eyes."

"We need to stop being so trusting with free groups and wine fairies. Not everyone has good intentions. Today I almost lost my son and I'm so grateful my kids are okay," the victim wrote.

Shanks is now facing numerous charges including abduction, assault, breaking and entering, and weapon possession.

She was remanded into custody following a show-cause court hearing Monday morning. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 14.