Scott Weinberger

sterile bags had already been placed over her hands to preserve any forensic evidence they might contain.

sterile bags had already been placed over her hands to preserve any forensic evidence they might contain.

The medical examiner in Jackson County, Missouri, would find defensive wounds on her hands as well as what looked like dark hair belonging to an attacker still clutched in her fists, both indications of an incredible struggle before Bobbie Jo died from strangulation caused by an unknown ligature.

The medical examiner in Jackson County, Missouri, would find defensive wounds on her hands as well as what looked like dark hair belonging to an attacker still clutched in her fists, both indications of an incredible struggle before Bobbie Jo died from strangulation caused by an unknown ligature.

You know, Anastasia, it's worth pausing here for a moment to talk about the gravity of the situation. The fact was that the newborn was in the hands of a killer. Would the person know how to care for a newborn who may perhaps have been injured in the process of being ripped from the mother? I mean, I can't think of a better example of using the phrase that time was of the essence.

You know, Anastasia, it's worth pausing here for a moment to talk about the gravity of the situation. The fact was that the newborn was in the hands of a killer. Would the person know how to care for a newborn who may perhaps have been injured in the process of being ripped from the mother? I mean, I can't think of a better example of using the phrase that time was of the essence.

It was hard to fathom who could be capable of killing a pregnant woman and kidnapping her unborn child. But law enforcement in Missouri already had their theories, and it was only a matter of time before the evidence led them to the doorstep of a kidnapper and a killer.

It was hard to fathom who could be capable of killing a pregnant woman and kidnapping her unborn child. But law enforcement in Missouri already had their theories, and it was only a matter of time before the evidence led them to the doorstep of a kidnapper and a killer.

23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant with her first child, was strangled to death in her home, her unborn daughter forcibly removed from her womb by an unknown assailant.

23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant with her first child, was strangled to death in her home, her unborn daughter forcibly removed from her womb by an unknown assailant.

But as we've said, time is always of the essence in the first few hours of a homicide. But in this case, there was even a greater sense of urgency. Not only were authorities searching for Bobby Joe's killer, they were searching for a missing infant whose young life was in imminent danger.

But as we've said, time is always of the essence in the first few hours of a homicide. But in this case, there was even a greater sense of urgency. Not only were authorities searching for Bobby Joe's killer, they were searching for a missing infant whose young life was in imminent danger.

Now, as you can imagine, local law enforcement called in all of the help they could get, enlisting investigators from multiple agencies to help with the search. But they also ran into a unique and frustrating roadblock.

Now, as you can imagine, local law enforcement called in all of the help they could get, enlisting investigators from multiple agencies to help with the search. But they also ran into a unique and frustrating roadblock.

An Amber Alert is an emergency response system designed to disseminate information about a missing or abducted child by any and all means possible, from electronic roadway signs to radio and TV broadcasts.

An Amber Alert is an emergency response system designed to disseminate information about a missing or abducted child by any and all means possible, from electronic roadway signs to radio and TV broadcasts.

But while the press scrambled for details about the murder and the kidnapping, investigators had a job to do, starting at the crime scene.

But while the press scrambled for details about the murder and the kidnapping, investigators had a job to do, starting at the crime scene.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry into the house, and the blood evidence made it clear that the attack started and concluded inside the small back bedroom of the Stinnett house, where Bobbie Jo also kept some kennels for her dogs.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry into the house, and the blood evidence made it clear that the attack started and concluded inside the small back bedroom of the Stinnett house, where Bobbie Jo also kept some kennels for her dogs.