NEW YORK » A New York woman has pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges in the death of a pregnant acquaintance whose baby was cut from the womb.

Twenty-two-year-old Ashleigh Wade appeared in court today and was held without bail. She was also charged with weapons possession.

Prosecutors say Wade stabbed 22-year-old Angelique Sutton in the neck Nov. 20, then cut the full-term baby from her womb.

The infant survived and is being cared for by Sutton’s relatives. Wade and Sutton were classmates who had recently reconnected. Police say Wade was obsessed with babies and pretended she was pregnant.

A message left today with Wade’s lawyer wasn’t immediately returned.

The bloody scene confused authorities because they said Wade initially claimed the newborn was hers. Police found a placenta on the ground.