American Scene

MISSOURI

Woman pleads to snatching teen

INDEPENDENCE — A 20-year-old woman pleaded guilty Friday to snatching a pregnant teenager she met online in a foiled plot to steal her unborn child.

Lauren Gash, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, assaulting and restraining Amanda Howard, 18, inside a Blue Springs motel room a year ago.

Co-defendant Alisa Betts of Atchison, Kan., is charged with kidnapping, assault and felonious restraint.

Prosecutors say Gash planned to cut Ms. Howard’s baby from her womb, but the Kansas City Star reported on its Web site Friday that Gash and her attorney said in court that the plan was to steal the baby after Ms. Howard delivered the infant.

Gash faces 15 years in prison each for the kidnapping and assault charges and seven years for felonious restraint. Sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 26.

FLORIDA

Officer, suspect killed in shooting

FORT MYERS — A missionary-turned-police-officer was fatally shot along with a suspect after police were called to a disturbance outside a downtown nightclub early Friday.

Rookie Officer Andrew Widman, 30, was shot in the face at close range after he stepped in to break up a dispute between a man and his girlfriend at 2 a.m., police Maj. Doug Baker said.

The suspect — identified as Abel Arango, 26, of Naples — ran from the scene while firing at other officers, Maj. Baker said. Four officers returned fire, killing Arango.

NEW YORK

Chain restaurants must post calories

NEW YORK — A new rule requiring New York chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus took effect Friday, marking a first for a U.S. city.

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