Woman Who Allegedly Kidnapped Daughter Dies In Standoff

[TexasStooge]

DENTON, Texas (KXAS NBC5) -- A standoff involving a woman who allegedly kidnapped her own child at gunpoint in Denton ended Wednesday afternoon, nearly a full day after it began.

Negotiators said Crystal Pinkston, 30, refused to communicate with them for more than 12 hours, so they cut off power to the home. Efforts to end the standoff in Valley View continued but failed.

So after more than 18 hours of unsuccessful negotiations, the SWAT team made its move. Several shots were fired as officers forced there way in to the mobile home, but 5-year-old Sierra Dawn Sasiain was carried to safety unharmed, when officers smashed a window in the house and then pulled the girl through it.

The team reportedly made the dramatic move after Pinkston refused their repeated attempts to contact her with a bullhorn.

NBC 5 reported that the girl may have been brought to a nearby hospital, but that it was not clear if she had any injuries. Later reports indicated the girl could be released temporarily to her maternal grandparents' custody.

About 20 minutes after the rescue, a CareFlite helicopter arrived at the mobile home in Valley View and transported Pinkston to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, where she died from her injuries.

An autopsy is expected Thursday to determine how the woman died.

According to police, the standoff began with a kidnapping Tuesday.

Officials said Pinkston was armed with a handgun when she removed her daughter from the Southmont Baptist Church day-care center.

The child's father, not Pinkston, has legal custody of the girl, according to police.

An Amber Alert initially issued by police was canceled once officials reportedly located Pinkston and her daughter inside the mobile home.

NBC 5 reported that Pinkston has a criminal record, but no history of serious violence.

Her family reportedly described her as a desperate drug abuser who was concerned about losing her child in a custody battle.

[blizzard]

Her family reportedly described her as a desperate drug abuser who was concerned about losing her child in a custody battle.

No need to worry about that anymore huh? Now the daughter has no Mother...way to go you selfish #%&@$* (the woman)

[Intimidator]

Her family reportedly described her as a desperate drug abuser who was concerned about losing her child in a custody battle.

No need to worry about that anymore huh? Now the daughter has no Mother...way to go you selfish #%&@$* (the woman)

Selfish, stupid,a**inien.

[sunnyday]

Pitiful....