MURRAY, Utah — A woman who allegedly unlawfully removed her minor child from the state of Utah was arrested in Spokane, Washington.
According to a press release from the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force dated Nov. 16, 21-year-old Lady Ashley Marks was arrested without incident by multiple agencies, and the child she allegedly took with her was recovered.
According to the press release, Marks was involved in a custody dispute with the estranged father of the child, who had been granted temporary custody pending further court proceedings. On or about Oct. 15, Marks was visiting the child under the supervision of the child’s paternal grandparent. During the visit, Marks allegedly took the child and fled while the grandparent was distracted.
A warrant was issued charging Marks with custodial interference across state lines, which is a third-degree felony. Further investigation revealed Marks and the child were residing in Spokane, Washington. Authorities set up surveillance on a residence, and Marks was ultimately located and booked into the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Detention Services, where she is being held pending extradition back to Utah, according to the press release.
James A. Thompson, United States Marshal for the District of Utah stated in the press release:
“A multi-agency collaborative effort was the key to the arrest of Marks and the recovery of the child. This arrest illustrates that state lines do not offer protection to those who attempt to flee from justice. The cooperative effort between the U.S. Marshals Service in Utah and Washington, along with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Murray, UT Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Spokane Police Department were key in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion. We hope that all of the involved parties in this case can move forward in determining the best interests of the child.”
