Mother and Felon Partner Arrested in Southern Oregon After Fleeing Georgia with Kids to Evade Custody Laws

Acting on a custodial interference investigation from the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee County, Georgia, the Oregon State Police (OSP) arrested a mother, 32-year-old  Haley Noel Nelson, in the company of a convicted felon, 28-year-old Carlos Figueroa, on Wednesday. Figueroa was also arrested, and a firearm was seized.

After determining that Nelson had illegally taken her two young children under the age of five from Georgia and fled to Josephine County, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), a multi-disciplined organization that includes members of OSP, moved to execute an outstanding arrest warrant issued out of Cherokee County on charges of Interference with Custody (Misdemeanor) and Interstate Interference with Custody (Felony).

RADE officers, assisted by the OSP Central Point Area Command-Major Crimes Section and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Medford Office Task Force, spotted Nelson and Figueroa with both children at about 1:30 p.m. in downtown Cave Junction.

They arrested Nelson on the Georgia arrest warrant and detained Figueroa without incident. Police found a firearm in plain view during the subsequent search of their vehicle, and Figueroa, a convicted felon, was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm (ORS 166.270).

The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Grants Pass-Child Welfare assisted with the children, who were unharmed. Nelson and Figueroa were lodged at the Josephine County Jail.