A mental evaluation has been ordered for Tonya Smith, a southwest Missouri woman arrested and accused of trying to steal the identity of Morgan Nick.
Smith, 24., is being held on a charge of felony computer fraud with a $200,000 bond at the Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock, according to the Arkansas State Police.
A Pulaski County judge ordered the evaluation after a public defender considered a possible insanity defense.
On June 23, a person identifying herself as Morgan Chauntel Nick placed an order through VitalCheck, an Internet based company which supplies certified copies of vital documents, a news release from the ASP states.
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.
Police in Branson, Mo., located Smith on Aug. 2, after being alerted by ASP. Smith, who is also a Louisiana State Prison probation violator, waived extradition and was brought to Arkansas.
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.
