Court-appointed doctors say mother of missing Arizona baby is incompetent to stand trial

Doctors say Tempe woman incompetent for trial

TEMPE, Ariz. — Two court-appointed doctors say the mother of a missing Arizona baby is incompetent to stand trial.

A Maricopa County judge ruled Thursdy that 23-year-old Elizabeth Johnson could be tried at a later date after treatment and therapy. A hearing on Aug. 12 will decide the length and conditions of the rehabilitative process, which could take up to nine months.

Tempe police say Johnson originally claimed she killed the baby and later said she gave the child to a couple in San Antonio.

If alive, Gabriel would now be a year old. Johnson remains in a downtown Phoenix jail on $1.1 million cash bond. She is charged with kidnapping, child abuse, custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial interference.

Information from: East Valley Tribune/Scottsdale Tribune, www.eastvalleytribune.com

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Two court-appointed doctors say the mother of a missing Arizona baby who’s been missing since December is incompetent to stand trial.

A Maricopa County judge is expected to make a ruling on the doctors’ report soon that could excuse 23-year-old Elizabeth Johnson from participating in further court proceedings involving the disappearance of her son.

Tempe police say Johnson originally claimed she killed the baby and later said she gave the child to a couple in San Antonio.

If alive, Gabriel Johnson would now be a year old. Johnson remained in a downtown Phoenix jail and is charged with kidnapping, child abuse, custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial interference.

Information from: East Valley Tribune/Scottsdale Tribune, www.eastvalleytribune.com