Woman charged after taking toddler, claiming she thought he was in danger, takes plea

Updated, Feb. 4:

Ana Alicia Lopez pleaded guilty through a plea agreement to endangering welfare of children. Her other charges have been withdrawn, according to online court documents.

She was sentenced 63 days to 24 months in prison, and has already served at least 63 days. She will be released upon approval of a home plan. 

Lopez must complete a care program, mental health treatment, properly take all medication and no trespassing on the victim's property without permission, documents state.

She also must pay costs, fines and fees.

Previously reported, December 2018:

A Littlestown woman was charged and arrested after police say she took a 3-year-old boy from his home on Nov. 15.

Ana Alicia Lopez, 32, of the 300 block of South Queen Street, reportedly took the boy from bed after forcing herself into the child's home, according to an affidavit filed with District Judge Daniel Bowman.

Police responded to the report of a kidnapping at about 11:30 p.m. and saw a female walking on the sidewalk of the 300 block of South Queen Street. She was holding a child's hand, and the child was only wearing a diaper.

It was about 32 degrees outside, and it had snowed about 6 inches that day.

The child was crying and appeared extremely cold to police. 

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Police stopped and spoke with Lopez and determined she was not the boy's mother. Police picked up the child and placed him in their warm police vehicle, the affidavit states.

Once the boy was in the car, he calmed down and Lopez was placed under arrest.

Police spoke with the boy's father, Shane Riggins, who said Lopez forced his door open while he and his wife were asleep in their bed. He said their child was sleeping between him and his wife when Lopez took him, police said in the affidavit.

Riggins said they yelled at Lopez to stop and bring the child back, but she didn't listen.

When police asked Riggins why he did not follow Lopez, he said because he was not dressed and he immediately called 911, the affidavit states.

Police interviewed Lopez at the Littlestown police station, and she said she went to the Riggins' home to get the children. She said she felt the children were in danger but did not know why.

She also told police that she knows better and acknowledged what she did was wrong, the affidavit states.

Lopez was charged with burglary, interference with custody of children, criminal trespass and endangering the welfare of children, according to online court documents.

She was taken to Adams County prison on Nov. 16 in lieu of $25,000 bail and has a formal arraignment scheduled for Jan. 17, 2019.