Suspect Tries To Hang Herself Before Court Appearance

DENVER -- The woman who befriended a young mother and allegedly kidnapped a 2-week-old boy tried to hang herself just before her first public appearance in court on Thursday, police said.

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Find Out What The Suspect's Relatives SayParents Thankful For Infant's Return

According to Denver police Sgt. Paul Gioso, Darlene Rueda-Banuelos was waiting to be placed in a lineup when she grabbed the cord hanging the number placard around her neck and tried to wrap the rope around her neck several times. A sheriff's deputy and a Denver police officer immediately grabbed her and cut the rope. She suffered no injuries, Gioso said.

The lineup went on as planned to see if the young mother, Maria Soria-Hernandez, could positively identify the suspect as "Rosa" -- the woman she claimed had fled with her baby.

Rueda-Banuelos, 30, is being held for investigation of suspected second-degree kidnapping and child abuse. In court she showed no emotion and covered her face as to not be photographed, 7NEWS reported.

She is being held at the Denver jail, pending formal charges. Her next hearing is in four to five days.

Police said her motive for taking the baby is unclear. However, her family said this is all a misunderstanding. Rueda-Banuelos' oldest daughter, Valerie Hernandez, told 7NEWS that her mother -- who has six of her own children -- would never kidnap a child; she was trying to help the young mother.

Hernandez said that her mother paid the infant's mother $500 as part of an "informal adoption." She said Rueda-Banuelos' gave the destitute mother the money and agreed to keep the child indefinitely until Soria-Hernandez could get back on her feet.

The newborn is now back home with his parents after more than 24 hours of frantic searching. The infant, Mauro Ramirez-Soria, was found Wednesday at 1 p.m., sleeping in an apartment on 9th and Bryant.

Denver police said that thanks to the Amber Alert system, one of the 500 tips received from three states helped lead detectives to the home.

Maria Hernandez said she's just happy to have her son home. The baby's father, Jaime Ramirez-Duran, said it's hard to find words to describe their relief and joy.

"I was living a nightmare. And right now, I can finally breathe. I feel just terribly happy. I cannot even explain to you how I feel right now," said Mauro's father, Jaime Ramirez-Duran.

After the baby was checked out at Denver Health, and after the couple made a brief appearance at a Denver police department press conference to thank the public, Mauro's parents finally took him home.

The couple said their son was hungry and tired. He drank a bottle of milk and fell fast asleep on the trip in the car.

Police said the infant was taken from his mother on Tuesday morning while she went into an AutoZone store to buy sodas. Detectives believe Rueda-Banuelos posed as a church volunteer to gain the trust of the baby's mother. Soria-Hernandez said she met the suspect, who had called herself "Rosa," right after she had given birth at Denver Medical Center on May 21.

Rueda-Banuelos' bond was set at $100,000. The judge admitted that the bond was high, but also noted a pending case in Adams County, where she was arrested on suspicion of possessing dangerous drugs. According to state records, Rueda-Banuelos has been arrested six times since 1997.

The judge also issued a restraining order, forbidding Rueda-Banuelos from having contact with the young mother and the infant.