Judge orders $1G bail for Lynn kidnapping suspect

LYNN – A city woman charged with kidnapping a 12-year-old girl has been ordered held on $1,000 cash bail and subject to GPS monitoring if released.Shayna Gibson, 23, of 252 Essex St. #5, pleaded not guilty Aug. 15 to a charge of kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of 12-year-old Aniyjha Rhoden.The child was reported missing at approximately 10 p.m. Aug. 12 by her mother, who suspected her ex-girlfriend Gibson may have been involved, police reported.Earlier that night while the child went on a short errand, her mother and Gibson argued because the mother thought Gibson was flirting with the alleged victim. Gibson received a phone call and abruptly left during the argument. The child did not return home. The defendant and alleged victim were later seen together in the Highlands and in a cab.The alleged victim returned to Lynn two days later and police picked her up in the Highlands. Gibson then turned herself in to police on a default warrant for motor vehicle charges.Both the alleged victim and Gibson first denied they were together. The alleged victim told police that she was afraid to return home because her mother had hit her after falsely accusing her of having a lesbian relationship with Gibson. But the alleged victim told police a different story the following day, reporting the two had first hid at Gibson’s mother’s home in Lynn and then traveled the next day to Fitchburg, where they stayed with Gibson’s friend. The alleged victim told police she said she wanted to go home after the two reached Fitchburg, but Gibson said it was “too late.”At her arraignment on the charge, Judge James LaMothe ordered Gibson held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.On Friday, Judge Ellen Flatley found Gibson to be a danger to the alleged victim. Flatley ordered $1,000 cash bail and conditions of release including that Gibson stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim and her family, report to probation each week and wear a GPS monitor.Gibson is scheduled to return to court Sept. 16.