Woman Charged with Kidnapping Waives Preliminary Hearing

59-year-old Viana Jones, who triggered an Amber Alert over a week ago when she took her granddaughter Desiree Bowden from her school and ran from authorities, has waived her preliminary hearing in District Court today.

She has been charged with kidnapping in the case, and will be formally arraigned in a month and will enter a plea at that time.

Jones left the area with the girl after taking her from the school playground, and an Amber Alert was issued in Wyoming and surrounding states.

About a half-hour after the Amber Alert was issued, the Wyoming Highway Patrol stopped her vehicle and took Jones into custody.

Desiree was rescued unharmed.

In June, Jones was charged in Natrona County District Court with child endangerment with methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of methamphetamine.

She pleaded guilty to the marijuana possession charge, and the other two charges were dismissed. On Oct. 14, she was sentenced one year in jail with all but 10 days suspended, and one year of probation.

Jones finished her sentence about two weeks ago.