The Santa Ana mother, who only wants to be identified as "Norma," cuddles her 2-week-old baby boy after a terrifying home invasion.
Norma says her 17-year-old roommate Gladys Remigio entered her bedroom with a man armed with a gun Monday. Norma's children were asleep. The gunman ordered Norma into the bathroom.
Police suspect 20-year-old Steven Quirino and 19-year-old Robert Rodriguez, both alleged gang members, ransacked the home before leaving.
Norma says she managed to escape and found Remigio with her newborn baby outside. At the time, police thought the teen, who rented a room with her father in Norma's home, was also a victim.
"She was in fact the one that hatched this whole elaborate plan in hopes of getting this 2-week-old baby," said Santa Ana Police Corporal Anthony Bertagna.
Police allege things fell apart when the suspects did not take the baby as planned and left the teen behind.
Soon after, Remigio allegedly identified one suspect, who then told police Remigio hired them for the home invasion.
Investigators allege the Remigio made up a number of stories, hoping to save her relationship with her boyfriend who had no idea what was going on.
Police allege Remigio told her boyfriend in Chula Vista that she was pregnant. In reality, she was not expecting a baby and made up a story to cover her lie.
Investigators allege Remigio told her boyfriend's family that some suspects had induced labor and were holding her newborn for ransom.
"She shifts the story to she had a stillbirth in Santa Ana and discarded the child in the trashcan," said Bertagna. "They finally get her through an interview to admit there was never really a child."
The three suspects were in custody Friday. Remigio was to be tried as an adult.
