KENT, Wash. — A Bremerton mother who set off a nationwide Amber Alert earlier this month appeared in court Tuesday.
Prosecutors said Sandra Bennatts was traveling more than 100 mph while she led police on a chase to Stevens Pass with her 6-year-old son as a passenger.
Bennatts, 34, entered court at the Regional Justice Center in Kent wearing a red prison jumpsuit and chains around her waist.
Court documents said Bennatts knocked her mother down a flight of stairs, dragged her by the hair and “hogtied” her wrists and ankles.
Bennatts then suspended her mother’s body in a storage room, stuffed a rag in her mouth and threatened to kill her in front of the victim's grandson, Mason, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said the 6-year-old boy begged his mother not to hurt his grandmother. The boy then brought his grandmother blankets and chocolate milk.
Police said Bennatts then fled with her son in her mother’s SUV.
The next day, police tracked the SUV and a chase ensued. The vehicle eventually ran out of gas on Highway 2 near Stevens Pass.
Police took Bennatts into custody and found the boy and camping gear inside the stolen Acura.
Some of Bennatts’ family members were in court Tuesday. A victim advocate spoke on their behalf, saying they believe Bennatts’ actions were due to her mental state and use of Adderall.
The judge agreed that the safest place for Sandra Bennatts was jail.
Her family declined to comment as they left the courtroom.
Bennatts is being held on $1 million bail. She has been ordered not to contact her mother or son.
KIRO
