Fergus Falls mother arrested after taking child to Florida without custody | The Mighty 790 KFGO

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KFGO/KBRF) – 29-year-old Nicole Peasley of Fergus Falls was arrested after taking her child, of whom she did not have custody, to Florida instead of returning him to the father.

On May 11, Fergus Falls Police received a report from the father that he was waiting in the parking lot to release custody of his child.

According to a court-ordered custody plan, Peasley was supposed to take the child to the FFPD parking lot where he was surrendered, but she failed to show up and did not respond to calls or messages.

The father was worried that Peasley would take the child to Florida.

According to court documents, the two have joint custody, but the father has sole custody, with Peasley being assigned under conditions.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department was called in and one of the deputies contacted a friend of Peasley’s who was able to locate her in Illinois.

As of May 12, the father still had not heard from Peasley and the friend no longer had any location information on her.

Fergus Falls officials spoke with one of her relatives who reported that he had recently helped her pack as she was planning to move.

Through a law enforcement database, officers learned that their vehicle had been located in Indiana.

Later that day, Peasley was tracked down and stopped by local police in Georgia.

A FFPD sergeant spoke to her on the phone and informed her that she was required to return the child to the father in Minnesota by May 14 at 5:00 p.m.

Police attempted to contact her to ensure she returned, but she did not respond to further attempts to communicate.

On May 14, Peasley’s girlfriend notified officials that they had again obtained her location data and it showed that she was in Florida, which was consistent with the residence of her known partner.

A warrant was issued for Peasley’s arrest on May 16, and according to the Otter Tail County Jail’s inmate roster, he was booked into the jail on May 17.

Peasley is charged with deprivation of custody or parental rights.

Her first appearance was on May 20 and she was released on bail.

Her next court hearing is scheduled for July 8.