Crime & Safety
Alleged Hamilton Kidnapper Arraigned in Salem Superior Court
The court still must decide if Abigail Hanna is competent to stand trial.

Hamilton, MA - Abigail Hanna, 21, of Topsfield, was arraigned in Salem Superior Court today for kidnapping, breaking and entering in the nighttime, assault and battery on a child resulting in bodily injury and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child under 14. A plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf.
It is alleged that Hanna kidnapped 2-year-old Lyndon Albers from her Lincoln Avenue home in Hamilton last November, assaulted the child and left Albers in a pile of leaves eight miles from her home. An Ipswich couple found the child shivering and bruised with her head shaved.
An Essex County Grand Jury indicted Ms. Hanna on those charges on March 31. The arraignment moves the case from the District to the Superior Court.
Find out what's happening in Hamilton-Wenhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Judge Thomas Drechsler ordered her held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. Before that hearing can be scheduled, the Court must determine if she is competent to stand trial.
A preliminary hearing to determine where the defendant should be held while the case in pending is scheduled for April 25 at 9:00 am in Salem Superior Court. The defendant will be present for that hearing. A full competency hearing is scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 pm. In the meantime, Ms. Hanna remains held at the Worcester Recovery Center.
Find out what's happening in Hamilton-Wenhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photo courtesy of WHDH/7-News. Abigail Hanna stands in court during her arraignment on kidnapping and assault on a child charges in 2015.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.