Vic: Couple accused of baby kidnap appear in court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2004
Vic: Couple accused of baby kidnap appear in court

MELBOURNE, Aug 10 AAP - A married couple charged with kidnapping three-week-old Montano
Barbaro appeared briefly before a Melbourne court today.

Cheryl McEachran, 48, and husband Mark Andrew McEachran, 43, did not apply for bail
as they faced Melbourne Magistrates Court, 24 hours after turning themselves into police.

In an out-of-court sessions hearing overnight, police alleged the couple snatched the
baby from her mother, Anita Ciancio, at the Brimbank Central Shopping Centre in western
suburban Deer Park on Saturday.

The couple, from Timor, near Maryborough in central Victoria, face a total of 24 charges
including kidnapping, child stealing, false imprisonment and assault.

The McEachrans, expressionless and appearing tired, said nothing as they stood behind
the glass security screen today.

Present in court was Montana's father Joe Barbaro.

A security guard moved to obscure Cheryl McEachran's view of Mr Barbaro as he glared
and mouthed words at the accused couple through the five-minute hearing.

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KEYWORD: MCEACHRAN (WITH BABY)

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