Indictment reveals details of pregnant woman’s killing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lisa Montgomery used a rope to strangle Bobbie Jo Stinnett and a kitchen knife to cut her fetus from the womb, according to an indictment of Montgomery on Wednesday.

A federal grand jury in Kansas City indicted Montgomery on one count of kidnapping resulting in the death of Stinnett in Skidmore, Mo., on Dec. 16. Montgomery took Stinnett’s baby home to Melvern, Kan., the indictment said.

Montgomery was charged the day after the crime, but a grand jury indictment was required within 30 days, U.S. Attorney Todd Graves said.

The indictment said Montgomery “committed the offense after substantial planning and premeditation.” The crime was described as “especially heinous, cruel and depraved.”

Montgomery, 36, will be arraigned soon and then enter a plea.

Montgomery is accused of going to Stinnett’s house under the guise of wanting to buy a rat terrier, which Stinnett bred. Instead, Montgomery allegedly strangled Stinnett, 23, and cut out her fetus.

The indictment Wednesday was the first time authorities had identified the weapons Montgomery allegedly used in the crime. Graves would not say at what point Stinnett died. Stinnett’s mother found her lying in a pool of blood shortly after the killer left the house, authorities said.

Montgomery, who had told her husband and others that she was pregnant, took the baby to Topeka, which is near her home. She called her husband, Kevin Montgomery, and told him she had given birth to a baby girl she named Abigail.

Kevin Montgomery said he was convinced that his wife was pregnant. He has not been charged.

The newborn was returned to her father, Zeb Stinnett of Skidmore, and he named her Victoria Jo.

If convicted, Montgomery could face life in prison or the death penalty.

Montgomery, who has four children from her first marriage, has faked five pregnancies since 1994, family members told the Kansas City Star. They said Montgomery could not become pregnant because she had a tubal ligation in 1990.