Shannon's mom charged
2008-09-05 17:31
London - The mother of a nine-year-old British girl whose disappearance sparked an intense nationwide hunt has been charged with kidnapping her.
Shannon Matthews was reported missing by her mother Karen in February.
Karen Matthews appeared in court Friday in the northern English city of Leeds. She pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Michael Donovan, a member of Shannon's extended family, denies the same charges.
Three weeks after she vanished, Shannon was found alive in the drawer of a divan bed in a house less than 1.6km from her home.
Matthews and Donovan are due to stand trial in November.
- AP