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SHAW ANNOUNCES CAPTURE OF CHILD KIDNAPPING SUSPECT IN UTAH |
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Tuesday, 01 March 2011 |
 Laura Kilmer
Shaw identified the suspect as Laura D. Kilmer, age 39, of Juniata Street, DuBois, Pennsylvania.
In January 2011, the District Attorney's Office received a report of a child abduction from a DuBois resident. Shaw stated that he requested the Pennsylvania State Police investigate the report and take appropriate action to locate the child. Shaw further stated that he requested assistance from the U.S. Marshal's service to help locate Kilmer and the child out of concern that Kilmer may have removed the child from the state of Pennsylvania.
On February 2, 2011, Trooper Carol Ponce of the Pennsylvania State Police, DuBois Barracks, filed a Criminal Complaint charging Kilmer with: 1) Kidnapping, F1; and 2) Interference With Custody of Children, F3. Trooper Ponce also obtained a warrant for Kilmer's arrest.
An Affidavit of Probable Cause filed with the complaint provides that Kilmer took her 4 year old daughter from her residence, and fled to unknown whereabouts without the authorization or knowledge of the child's father. On January 4, 2011, the father was awarded full custody of the child by a court order issued in Clarion County. Upon further investigation, it was found that Kilmer had made several statements that she would shoot and kill the child with a handgun Kilmer had in her possession if she was about to be captured by authorities.
On February 4, 2011, the United State Marshal Service (USMS) for the Western District of Pennsylvania opened a fugitive investigation in order to locate Kilmer and the missing child. The USMS forwarded leads to five USMS districts in four states, including one to the USMS for the District of Utah.
The Pennsylvania State Police and US Marshals initially pursued leads in New Jersey and Florida, and worked with the Clearfield County District Attorney's Office to pinpoint Kilmer's location based on where she made calls on her cell phone and where she used her credit card.
On February 25, 2011, it was learned that the Garfield County, Utah, Sheriff's Department had run the license plate of Kilmer's vehicle in the National Crime Information Center's database when the vehicle had run out of gas. In speaking with the Sheriff, US Marshals learned that Kilmer had relayed that she was traveling north to visit relatives. US Marshals then found a location of Kilmer's sister just north of Garfield County. US Marshals were able to locate Kilmer's vehicle in the parking lot of her sister's apartment complex.
On February 27, 2011, US Marshals were alerted that the vehicle was moving. Due to the threat on the child’s life, the US Marshals developed the plan of waiting for Kilmer to stop and get gas before attempting an arrest. When Kilmer did stop at a convenience store in West Valley City, Utah and go inside, without the child, she was arrested. The child was recovered safely at the time of the arrest. A loaded handgun was recovered from Kilmer's vehicle at the time of her arrest.
Kilmer is currently housed in the Salt Lake County Jail pending extradition to Clearfield County to face the charges pending against her. The child has been taken into protective custody by authorities in Utah and is in the process of being returned to her father.
Shaw thanked the Pennsylvania State Police and United States Marshal Service for their hard work and assistance with this case. Shaw stated that he was pleased with the diligent efforts used in this case to locate the missing child and guarantee the child's safety.
Anyone with knowledge of fugitive's location is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at (800)-376-4700.
All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney web site at "www.ClearfieldDA.org" and selecting "Report A Crime".
CALL TODAY
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A REWARD
1 (800) 376-4700
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
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