Verna McClain, Texas nurse accused of murder and baby abduction, denied bond

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Court appointed attorney Steve Jackson, left, talks to Verna McClain, center, during a court appearance Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Conroe, Texas.

/ AP Photo/David J. Phillip

(CBS/AP) CONROE, Texas - A judge has denied bond for Verna McClain, the nurse accused of fatally shooting a young mother in suburban Houston and kidnapping the woman's newborn son.

Pictures: Nurse admits to shooting mom, abducting baby

McClain, 30, did not speak at a Monday bond hearing in Conroe, Texas. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon argued the nurse committed a cold, calculated and premeditated murder.

Defense Attorney E. Tay Bond had asked for a bond of $100,000 or less for McClain.

The shooting last week outside a pediatric center north of Houston killed 28-year-old Kala Golden. Her 3-day-old son Keegan Schuchardt was then abducted but found safe hours later with McClain's sister.

The nurse had recently suffered a miscarriage, according to authorities. Officials in Montgomery County say McClain had told her fiance' she had given birth to his child. The sheriff's office said Wednesday that McClain tried to represent Keegan as her own child. Her sister allegedly told authorities that McClain had plans to "do the adoption" after taking Keegan.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Detective John Schmitt said McClain, who authorities say has admitted shooting Golden and stealing the baby, does "appear remorseful for what happened."

The kidnapped baby has been returned to his family, according to his father, Keith Schuchardt, who said he had been married to Kala Golden for three years.

McClain is a vocational nurse who has three children. She is estranged from the children's father.

Complete coverage of Verna McClain on Crimesider