Nicole Peasley (Otter Tail County Detention Facility)
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KFGO/KBRF) – 29-year-old Nicole Peasley of Fergus Falls was arrested after taking her child whom she did not have physical custody of to Florida instead of returning them to their father.
On May 11th, the Fergus Falls Police Department received a report from the father, stating that he was waiting in the parking lot for the custody exchange of his child.
Per a court-ordered custody schedule, Peasley was supposed to bring the child to the FFPD parking lot for the exchange, but she had not appeared and she was not responding to calls or messages.
The father was concerned that Peasley was taking the child to Florida.
According to court documents, while the pair have joint legal custody, the father has sole physical custody, with Peasley having scheduled parenting with conditions.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department became involved, and one of the deputies reached out to a known friend of Peasley, who was able to find her location as being in Illinois.
On May 12th, the father had still not heard back from Peasley, and the friend no longer had location information from her.
Fergus Falls officers spoke with one of her relatives, who reported that they had recently helped her pack, as she was planning on moving.
Officers learned through a law enforcement database that her vehicle had been located in Indiana.
Later that day, Peasley was located and stopped in Georgia by local law enforcement.
An FFPD sergeant spoke with her on the phone, and informed her that she was required to return the child to the father in Minnesota by 5 o’clock on May 14th.
Law enforcement attempted to keep in contact with her to ensure she was returning, but she did not answer any further attempts at communication.
On May 14th, Peasley’s friend told officials that they once again had her location data, and it showed her as being in Florida, consistent with where her known significant other resides.
A warrant was issued for Peasley’s arrest on May 16th, and according to the Otter Tail County Jail’s In Custody roster, went through intake on May 17th.
Peasley is being charged with a Felony count of Depriving Another of Custodial or Parental Rights.
Her first appearance was May 20th, and she was released on bail.
Her next court hearing is set for July 8th.
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