Woman in Baby Gabriel case hears her own words used against her

PHOENIX - Tammi Smith cried in court Monday as she listened to a two-hour taped interview between her and a Tempe police detective regarding the case of missing baby Gabriel.

At one point, lead detective Patricia Ramirez seemed to catch Smith in a lie when Ramirez asked Smith if she ever forged a court document in an attempt to adopt Gabriel Johnson, the baby boy who disappeared in December of 2009.

“I didn't sign any paperwork and I didn't file any paperwork,” Smith told Ramirez during the interview.

But Ramirez then showed Smith a court document which caused Smith to change her story.

“Oh, okay, so that is my writing. Yes, right here that is mine,” Smith told Ramirez.

Smith has been charged with forgery for writing her cousin's name on a paternity document in an attempt to get custody of baby Gabriel.

During the interview played in court, Smith admitted she knowingly lied on the paperwork.

“I made a huge mistake,” said Smith.

Smith then asked if she could get in trouble for it and Ramirez responded, “l believe that there will be a criminal consequence to it.”

Smith is expected to take the stand in her own defense this week.

In addition to the forgery charge, she’s also been charged with conspiracy to commit custodial interference.