A model and wannabe actress in Canada has been charged with abduction after kidnapping a 1-month-old baby. The abduction was part of Michelle Maria Gopaul desperate and elaborate plan to become a mum.

The model, from New York, pretended to be a casting agent for baby modelling to lure parents in. She posted an advert offering US$7,500 for a baby girl of Indian decent to “star” in a new Bollywood movie. During the fake casting, Michelle took the baby into the next room from where they both vanished. Later in the day, the baby was returned unharmed by a member of the public.

Bizarrely, police later discovered that she had been planning the baby-kidnap for weeks, even announcing her “pregnancy” online. "It's a girl!! I can't wait until my little princess Valentina arrives!!,” a message on her site reads. Michelle even organised a baby shower and set up a baby wish list at Babies R Us! Michelle is now in custody awaiting trial but has not released an explanation of her actions. Which leaves us wondering, “What on earth was she thinking?!”