Mother's story "not satisfactory" to police investigating alleged kidnapping

Rebecca Mclarty, 39, and "co-conspirator," Christian Turner, an alias for Scott Alan McDaniel, were arrested Monday and charged with kidnapping and cruelty to children. Turner, 42, was arrested around 6:30 p.m. walking out of the woods in the Carrollton area.

Friends of Mclarty told Channel 2 Action News the whole incident was a misunderstanding.

"All I know is that four months ago, she told me she was going to adopt a baby," neighbor Sheila Ashley told the station. “She was trying to help a girl that was on drugs real bad."

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the baby was headed for the black market, as has been widely speculated.

"We have more than just charges to consider," Pierce said. "The well-being of the infant is also an issue."

The baby is at an undisclosed location while the investigation continues.

Police were called Saturday afternoon when staff at the Austell Inn and Suites a found "blood-soaked linens" and a mattress "contaminated with blood," Pierce said.

That is where they believe Parker-Heard, 27, gave birth on Saturday. Also Saturday, Parker-Heard's mother notified police after she received a text message with a picture of her new granddaughter.

Parker-Heard was found at her alleged kidnappers' home on Sunday night. Police questioned her at the hospital and she was well enough to take them to a house in Mableton where she and her daughter were separated.

At the same time, Carroll County authorities received an anonymous tip telling them where they could find the baby and the midwife who helped deliver her.

--Staff writer Rhona Cook contributed to this article.