Harford County : Abduction

Suspect arrested after 6-year search

Police in Charlotte, N.C., have arrested a Maryland woman who escaped from a state psychiatric hospital six years ago while awaiting trial on charges of child abduction and forgery, authorities said yesterday. Maria Baughman, 55, escaped from Spring Grove Hospital Center in September 2001 while undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, authorities said. Baughman had been charged with forging documents to obtain custody of a 9-year-old girl she had been baby-sitting, authorities said. The child was separated from her biological mother for nearly a year before police found her in May 2001 with Baughman in Hampton, Va., according to authorities.

Mary Gail Hare

Howard County

: Police

Officer struck by van near fair

A Howard County police officer who was struck by a van while directing traffic at the Howard County Fair has been released from the hospital, police said yesterday. Pfc. Jeff Specht suffered minor injuries after being hit Thursday evening while standing on Route 144 at Fairgrounds Road in West Friendship. No charges have been filed against the driver, a 59-year-old man from Hanover.

Melissa Harris