NEWBURYPORT — The baby sitter accused of kidnapping a 2-year-old and abandoning her by the side of the road is hearing voices and lacks the "rational ability" to understand the charges against her, a court psychologist said Monday.
In a brief hearing at Ipswich District Court, court clinician Tammy Howe said Abigail Hanna, who has been under evaluation at a Worcester psychiatric facility, could barely carry on a conversation and did not appear to understand her situation.
"She speaks almost in a whisper," Howe said. "Her factual knowledge is still poor."
Howe said she did not believe that Hanna, a 21-year-old from Topsfield accused of abducting a Hamilton toddler in November, is competent to stand trial. Hanna, who was not in court, will remain under evaluation until her next court date, Jan. 22.
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A judge will ultimately decide whether Hanna is fit to stand trial.
Defendants cannot be prosecuted if mental illness prevents them from understanding the proceedings.
If Hannah is deemed competent, a hearing will be held to determine whether she can be safely released.
In a court session in November, Howe said Hanna had a history of suicide attempts and was experiencing "multiple psychotic symptoms." Her lawyer, Susan McNeil, said Hanna faced "serious and potentially life-threatening issues."
Hanna has pleaded not guilty to taking the girl during the night, beating her, and leaving her on the side of a back road, alone and naked. She is charged with kidnapping, assault and battery, and breaking and entering.
The toddler was found a few hours after her disappearance by a couple who spotted her as they drove by. The girl was bruised and had cigarette burns on her body. She has since been released from the hospital and reunited with her family.
The girl's parents told police Hanna had once baby-sat for them before they fired her.
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Investigators found a toddler-sized jacket in Hanna's home, according to court records. When police arrived, Hanna's hands were noticeably dirty, and she was evasive during interviews.
She initially denied knowing the toddler's family but later said she had baby-sat for the girl and knew the family kept their doors unlocked.
When asked why she was dirty, Hanna at first said she had been trying to catch a stray cat in the woods that morning. She said the small jacket belonged to a child she had baby-sat.
The 2-year-old's parents realized their toddler was missing around 6:30 a.m. and called police a short time later when they noticed the back door was open. The child's disappearance sparked a frantic search, and she was found just before authorities were about to issue an Amber Alert.
Hanna's family attended Monday's hearing but left the courtroom without comment.
Peter Schworm can be reached at schworm@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globepete.