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Rocky Mount Father, Friend Face Attempted Murder Charges In Baby Abduction

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ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — A 6-week-old girl is back home with her mother after being left alone in a Nash County shed for two days. The infant was taken from her own bed Monday, and police say her father and his friend are to blame.

Key'ora Battle was briefly hospitalized after lying alone for two days in a Nash County shed, but now, she is back with her mother, Dequanah Battle.

"I know that I slept a whole lot better last night. I believe she did too, because she knew she was back at home," Dequanah said.

Dequanah Battle called Rocky Mount police Monday morning when the infant was kidnapped.

Theodore Pittman, the baby's father, and a friend, David Parker, face attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap charges.

Police said the men refused to tell them where to find Key'ora.

"Me and my baby were laying in the bed sleeping and her father called me because he wanted to talk about her Christmas," Dequanah said. "So I got out of bed and went outside to talk to him."

While Dequanah and Pittman were talking outside, police said Parker went inside, picked up Key'ora and sneaked her out the back door.

"Her bottle and her pacifier were on the bed. She was wrapped in a blanket, but he threw the blanket on the floor in my sister's room," Dequanah said.

Police said a tip led them to a empty shed on Highway 58. Police said Key'ora was cold, hungry, and dehydrated, but apparently OK.

Dennis Barnes, Key'ora's grandfather, said he was upset over the situation, but he is glad his granddaughter is safe.

"I guess anger is just mild, a mild term to use. I was more than angry, but there was nothing I could do except for pray that everything would be all right," he said.

"She's a sweet baby. She sleeps all through the night and she's always smiling at angels in her sleep," Battle said.

Rocky Mount police are not talking about a possible motive at this point. Battle said she believed Pittman was trying to avoid paying child support.

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