Calif. couple plead not guilty to 29 counts in abduction, rape of girl held for 18 years

Calif. couple plead not guilty in 1991 kidnap

PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A Northern California couple have pleaded not guilty in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a girl who was abducted when she was 11 years old and held captive for 18 years.

Phillip and Nancy Garrido were arraigned Friday on 29 counts, including forcible abduction, rape and false imprisonment.

They both entered their pleas in El Dorado Superior Court, A judge ordered them held without bail.

Phillip Garrido appeared stoic and unresponsive during the brief hearing. His wife cried and put her head in her hands several times.

Jaycee Lee Dugard was snatched outside her South Lake Tahoe home in 1991. Authorities say she gave birth to two children by Phillip Garrido while she was held in a secret encampment in his Antioch backyard.