A Missouri woman charged with trying to steal the identity of a missing Alma child was sentenced to six years probation and a $2,500 fine Thursday (Feb. 28).
Tonya Smith pleaded guilty to felony computer fraud in Pulaski County court. She served 120 days in the Pulaski County Jail. She will now to go Louisiana to face charges in a separate case.
Police say last summer Smith tried to identify herself as Morgan Chauntel Nick and placed an order through VitalCheck, an Internet based company which supplies certified copies of vital documents.
Investigators believe Smith was attempting to obtain Nick’s certified birth certificate. Initially agents were uncertain if the suspect actually believed she was Nick or attempting to fraudulently capture Nick’s identity.
Nick was six-years-old when she was abducted from an Alma baseball park on June 9, 1995. The case remains unsolved.
Arkansas State Police along with Alma Police officers continue to assign personnel to investigate new leads in the girl’s disappearance.
Her mother, Colleen Nick, created the Morgan Nick Foundation in an effort to bring her home. In addition, the foundation works to bring together parents and families of all missing children. Visit http://www.morgannickfoundation.com/ for more information.
