ST JAMES, Jamaica — Twenty-six-year-old Melissa Harriot, the woman accused of stealing a baby in the parking lot at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, had her bail sureties increased from two to three when she made an appearance in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Presiding Judge Sandra Wong Small increased the sureties after Harriot’s attorney Michael Hemmings told the court that she was still unable to take up the bail offer that was in February reduced from an original sum of $350,000 to$200,000.

Hemmings told OBSERVER ONLINE that this will allow for more individuals to bail his client.

“She is still in custody and the judge increased the surety. So, it is no longer two sureties, it is one to three. Up to three persons can bail her. So, the amount is still $200,000, but up to three persons can bail her now,” Hemmings explained.

In addition, Hemmings said closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage was still outstanding and an extension of time was given by the court following a request by the prosecution under the committal proceedings rule.

Harriot who is on a charge of child stealing is scheduled to return to court on the 1st of May.

The police reported that on January 4, the baby’s mother had asked Harriot to hold the child while she went to the restroom. However, when the mother returned, both her baby and the accused were nowhere to be found.

Harriot, who is formerly of a St Ann address and who, at the time of the incident, lived with her common-law husband in St James, was arrested by the police in Norwood following the recovery of the baby on January 6.

Residents had reportedly contacted the police and provided information that led to the premises in the community where she lived, following the release of closed-circuit television images from the hospital.

The child was later returned to the parents.

Anthony Lewis