TCDA Bureau of Investigations Child Abduction Unit Recovers Child in Mississippi
On March 23, 2022, a two-year-old girl was returned to her father through the work of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit. District Attorney investigators traveled to Long Beach, Mississippi, where the child was located living with her mother, Sierra Russell. Russell, formerly a resident of Tulare County, refused to comply with orders from the court to appear on a child custody matter and left the state with her daughter.
On November 30, 2021, the Tulare County Superior Court granted joint custody to the parents. The child’s father attempted to locate his daughter on his own from August 2021 to November 2021, but was unsuccessful. On December 3, 2021, the court issued an order authorizing the TCDA Child Abduction Unit to find and recover the child. Investigators tried unsuccessfully to obtain cooperation from the mother and her relatives.
After investigators worked diligently with counsel in Mississippi to enforce the Tulare County order, the Harrison County Mississippi Superior Court issued its own order allowing investigators to proceed with the recovery. On March 23, 2022, TCDA investigators and officers from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department successfully served Russell and returned the child to her father in Mississippi later that same day.
The Child Abduction Unit is dedicated to following court orders and safely returning abducted children to their legal guardians. Tulare County D.A. Investigators have recovered children from across the United States and Mexico, and as far away as New Zealand. These recoveries only occur after a judge has ordered the child or children to be returned to the legal custodial guardian. Any questions regarding abducted children can be directed to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations at (559)636-5410.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant Chief Investigator Eric Grant (559) 636-5410