Woman trying to steal fetus of her pregnant neighbor sentenced to prison

A woman who tried to steal the fetus of her pregnant neighbor was sentenced to 22 to 50 years in prison.

Photo: Woman trying to steal fetus of her pregnant neighbor sentenced to prison

Peggy Jo Conner, who could have been sentenced to up to 80 years in prison, apologized for the 2005 attack against Valerie Oskin.

"I'm sorry for what happened to Valerie and for what part I had in it," Conner said. "I'm not that kind of person. I was on drugs then."

But Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi said blood tests at the time of the crime showed no intoxicants in Conner's system. She is now being treated for bipolar disorder and manic depression.

Conner, 40, attacked Oskin on Oct. 13, 2005, knocking her unconscious with a baseball bat and cutting open her stomach in an effort to remove Oskin's unborn baby.

Conner pleaded guilty in February to attempted homicide and other charges.

Oskin tearfully read a statement in which she said she suffers from migraine headaches, loss of taste and smell, nightmares and anxiety because of the attack. She asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

Oskin's baby was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and was put up for adoption, as Oskin had intended before she was attacked.