Accused baby snatcher appears in Toronto court, bail hearing set for Jan. 21
Posted January 11, 2011 2:52 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – The lawyer for accused baby snatcher Michelle Marie Gopaul says he’s optimistic his client will be released on bail next week.
The New York City-area model, actress and aspiring singer was back in a Toronto courtroom Tuesday where a bail hearing date was set for Jan. 21.
Gopaul, 24, is charged with a bizarre baby abduction at a bogus movie casting call on Dec. 30.
Her lawyer said Gopaul, who is from Hollis neighbourhood of Queens, has a student visa and he believes he will be able to get her out on bail.
“I’m hopeful. I’m optimistic. My client has no criminal record, no outstanding charges and (it’s her) first time before a court,” Gary Batasar said outside court.
“I expect if everything goes well she’ll be released. We’re hopeful that happens on the January 21st date.”
Gopaul, who is charged with abduction of a person under the age of 14, is in “better spirits” than her last court appearance, although her family remains concerned, he added.
Batasar spoke with immigration officials Tuesday who are doing their own investigation.
“As far as we’re concerned she’s a viable candidate for release,” he added.
Gopaul has been living in Toronto legally to study at a hair salon.
Wearing green prisoner garb, Gopaul looked straight ahead as her aunt sat in the courtroom.
Outside court, Rita Gopaul said she had “no idea” how her niece got into such a situation.
“She’s a beautiful, kind, loving, caring, very family oriented person, so your guess is as good as mine,” said Gopaul.
Batasar refused comment on media reports Gopaul had recently faked a pregnancy and told friends and relatives she had given birth.
However Gopaul appeared heavier-set in court than the publicity photographs posted on her website and MySpace and Facebook pages.
When asked if her niece had ever expressed a desire to have children, Gopaul said “not that I know of.”
Police allege one-month-old Roma Patel was abducted after her parents took her to a fake casting call for a Bollywood movie shoot advertised on Craigslist.
The unharmed baby girl was returned to her parents a few hours later.
Gopaul’s mother is in New York but will return for her daughter’s bail hearing, the lawyer said.
When asked if Gopaul would live with her aunt if released, Batasar said other sureties are available.
Batasar said he thought the story was getting so much attention because of the “unique circumstances of the case” and the fact that Gopaul is from the United States.
