Mother and Sick Baby Go Missing in Utah, Surface In Johnson City

By Nik Brown CM
Production Coordinator
Published: September 27, 2008

A woman wanted in Utah for kidnapping her 8-week old baby was found with the missing child late Friday night in Johnson City. 

Sheila Crump, 27, of Ponca City, Ok., and her baby, Venessa Lureen Ochoa, were found inside a residence on the 1000 block of N. Boone St., according to a report from the Johnson City Police Department. 

While Crump’s residence is listed in Oklahoma, she was wanted for kidnapping in Midvale, Utah, a town 13 miles outside of Salt Lake City.

“She was living in a treatment center [in Midvale, Utah,] she did not have custody of the baby due to past drug history, the state of Utah had custody of the baby,” Brian Holdaway, detective with the Midvale Police Department, said.

“Through tips and reverse looking up phone numbers and stuff we found out that she was calling her mother who she had not seen for over 23, 24 years and that led us eventually to find out to that she got a ticket on a bus to Tennessee,” Holdaway said. 

According to Holdaway, Crump’s mother lives in Johnson City.

Crump dissapeared with the baby on Wednesday, Holdaway said.

“Basically, she said the baby was sick, she went to the hospital and just walked out,“ he said.

An Endangered Person Advisory for Ochoa was issued in Utah on Thursday. According to the advisory, Ochoa had medical problems stemming from in utero substance abuse.

“Caseworkers say the baby is medically fragile and may suffer from dehydration without immediate medical care,” the advisory stated. 

Holdaway reported that Ochoa was in good condition when she was located in Johnson City. According to a police report from the Johnson City Police, Ochoa was turned over to Child Protective Services and placed in a temporary foster home while awaiting arrangements in Utah.

Crump is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.