Wanda's Escape

While Wanda was in waiting, to determine if she was competent to stand trial, she was placed in an institution, from which she escaped and was missing for five hours. Authorities believed she was trying to go to Louisiana in pursuit of her husband. But could she have possibly visited the place she left Melissa?

It's just one more of many unanswered questions in the mystery of Melissa McGuinn

Here is the news article on the escape:

Common-law husband Robert Ashley

Accused baby kidnapper Wanda F Reed  apparently tried to escape from Vineland Developmental Center last weekend, after learning that her common-law husband was leaving New Jersey.

Still attempting to gather details of Reed's escape Saturday night, Assistant Prosecutor Randolph D Norris said the mentally disabled woman had received a phone call from her common-law husband Robert Ashley, who informed her he was leaving for their home state of Louisiana.

"We believe she was dispondent, with no one being around here, and she left with the idea of making her way back to Louisiana." Norris said.

The assistant prosecutor said she did not know how long Reed knew of Ashley's plans before deciding to flee.

Reed is suspected of kidnapping seven month old Melissa McGuinn, who has been missing since March 6 and is believed to have been tossed into the Delaware River.

The woman who has been housed at the developmental center since April, escaped from the facility Saturday night, after pushing a 57 year old supervisor to the ground while the two were walking to a convenience store.

Reed was found five hours later wandering around a fast food restaurant near the Cumberland mall.