Mother Of Missing Baby Testifies In Father's Trial
LUDINGTON (WWJ/AP) - The mother of a 4-month-old missing for nearly a year has told a Mason County court that she last saw her daughter in the car of the girl's father outside her Ludington apartment building.
Ariel Courtland testified Tuesday that she went inside to get a stroller and returned to find the child and Sean Phillips gone.
Phillips faces an unlawful imprisonment charge in the June 29, 2011 disappearance of Katherine Phillips. The baby lived with her mother, about 80
miles northwest of Grand Rapids.
Courtland said Phillips wanted to put Katherine up for adoption, but she refused.
Defense attorney Annette Smedley has told jurors that Sean Phillips has been cooperative with police.
Courtland has said Phillips told her that Katherine is still alive, but extensive searches haven't turned up the girl. Police did find the clothing she was last seen wearing.
Anyone with information about what happened to Katherine is asked to contact Mason-Oceana 911 at (231) 869-5858.
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