An American woman charged with human trafficking after she allegedly attempted to smuggle a newborn out of the Philippines now faces additional charges of kidnapping.
Jennifer Talbot from Utah was out on bail while facing human trafficking charges in Manila, Philippines, when she appeared in front of reporters on Wednesday with officials of the National Bureau of Investigation.
She was clad in an orange T-shirt with a mask over her face and one of her arms in a sling. When speaking to reporters, she said: "I object to this press conference without my attorney and the embassy present."
Prosecutors say Ms Talbot planned to board a Delta Air Lines flight on September 4 with a six-day-old baby wrapped in a sling bag.
She reportedly tried to show an affidavit giving consent for her to take the baby that was signed by the mother, but the form had no signature.
Airline personnel then alerted immigration personnel because no government travel documentation was issued to allow the infant to go to the US.
Immigration personnel arrested Ms Talbot at the airport and the infant was given to government welfare personnel.
The press conference on Wednesday occurred two days after Ms Talbot was served with an arrest warrant for kidnapping. She was served with the warrant during her court-appointed appearance to face her human trafficking charge.
Prosecutors said she also faces charges of illegal detainment. An initial hearing for the kidnapping charges is scheduled for March 12.
