Media Plays Pivotal Role in Kidnap Victim’s Return, Two Suspects Arrested for Attempted Murder

Los Angeles:  A pregnant woman who was kidnapped yesterday has been found and two suspects are in police custody.
On Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at about 2:30 p.m., a 23-year-old woman who is 5 months pregnant was kidnapped from her residence in Los Angeles by her ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend.  Her ex-boyfriend, Demetrius Jones, a male Black, is 40 years old and the alleged father of the victim’s unborn child.  His girlfriend, Sheela Silver, is a 41-year-old female Black.
The suspects forced their way into the victim’s house and took her, against her will, to Silver’s residence located in the 3500 block of McLaughlin Avenue.  The victim was held there, against her will, and was viciously assaulted over a 9-hour period.  During this time, her life and the life of her unborn baby were repeatedly threatened.
When Silver saw television reports of the kidnapping, she and Jones contrived a story to convince Police that the victim had gone with them willingly and was in no danger.  In an attempt to convince officers that the woman had not been kidnapped and was okay, Jones took her to Pacific Police Station.  Based on information the victim provided police, Jones was arrested.  The second suspect, Sheela Silver, was located Wednesday morning and taken into custody.
Detectives conducting a search of the crime scene location found evidence that corroborated the victim’s accounting of what occurred.
Both suspects have been charged with the attempted murder of the victim and her unborn child, Attempt 187(A) PC.
The victim was treated for her injuries at a local hospital and released.
Television coverage of this crime on the evening news was instrumental in motivating the suspects to contact Police, resulting in the victim’s eventual return.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Detective Rick Gonzales at 213-473-0447.  During off hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk toll free at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).