PITTSBURGH — The suspect accused of cutting an infant from a woman's womb was found mentally competent by a judge Thursday to assist in her defense, despite a psychiatrist's testimony that she is a paranoid schizophrenic.

Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning disagreed with the psychiatrist who evaluated Andrea Curry-Demus, 38, of Wilkinsburg.

"At this point, I'm satisfied that she appears competent," Manning said after listening to Dr. Christine Martone and defense attorney Angela Carsia.

Manning asked several basic questions of Curry-Demus, including whether she understood the charges against her.

"Homicide," replied Curry-Demus, who appeared for the hearing via videolink between the courthouse and county jail.

Curry-Demus is charged with homicide, kidnapping and related offenses in the death of Kia Johnson, 18, of McKeesport, who authorities said was 36 weeks pregnant. Curry-Demus then tried to pass off Johnson's newborn son as her own, authorities said.

Carsia said she had difficulty communicating with Curry-Demus when she met with her in jail for about 25 minutes on Tuesday. Carsia agreed with Martone's diagnosis that Curry-Demus was incompetent to stand trial.

Martone testified that Curry-Demus was a paranoid schizophrenic who had been hospitalized many times.