Xena's Kidnap Terror
Globe Magazine
30 July 2002
Scanned by Roger
Lucy Lawless: I'll Make Sure That Nobody Comes
Near My Kids...
XENA
star Lucy Lawless is sharpening her broadsword. Stunned by the
gunpoint kidnapping of a judge's infant daughter in her native
New Zealand, Lawless is ready to defend her new baby and older
kids with the fury of the warrior princess she plays on TV.
"It's a hideous thing to contemplate," the 5-foot-11 actress
says about the snatching that sent a chill rippling through the
island nation.
"And I will take every step I can to make sure that nobody comes
near my children!"
The kidnapped baby was found safe after eight days, but Lawless
remains vigilant in and around her Auckland mansion.
"I have always been aware of the potential for that to happen,"
she says. "It doesn't shock me that it happened here. I'm glad
people now realize it is a possibility because we tend to think
New Zealand is such a safe place and everyone here is cool."
The 34-year-old beauty, who recently helped
raise $2.7 million to complete the heart unit at a children's
hospital, gave birth to son Judah two months ago. Lawless and
her American husband, Rob Tapert, also have a 2-year-old son,
Julius, and on weekends they take care of Daisy, 14, her
daughter with former hubby Garth Lawless.
Ironically, Tapert, 44, a former Xena producer, says the couple
moved to New Zealand after tying the knot four years ago because
they thought Los Angeles was a lousy place to raise kids.
"L.A. is not a great environment for children,"
he insists. But Lawless adds, "Mental illness and greed are ^
everywhere."
