International Custody Drama: Coeur d’Alene Mom’s Costa Rican Capture

In a tale that sounds like it’s ripped straight from the script of a daytime TV drama, a Coeur d’Alene mother found herself in hot water and far from home. Laurel E. Hannah, aged 40, is facing charges of second-degree kidnapping after an international escapade with her one-year-old son – who, incidentally, she did not have custody of. This story takes us from the tranquil streets of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to the tropical climes of Costa Rica, and back again, with law enforcement agencies hot on the trail.

The Case Unfolds: A Mother, A Child, and A Flight

The saga began when the Sandpoint Police Department got wind that Hannah had likely fled the country with her young son. Cue the dramatic music and fears that the child was in danger. This prompted the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force to jump into the fray, making the search for Hannah and her son a priority mission.

The Costa Rican Twist

Fast forward to August 23, and the plot thickens. Over 4,000 miles away from Coeur d’Alene, authorities in Costa Rica, acting on a request from the United States, arrested Hannah. In a sigh-of-relief moment, the child was found safe and was subsequently returned to the United States, no doubt a bit bewildered but unharmed.

The Extradition and Charges

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs played a crucial role in this international custody drama, working diligently to extradite Hannah from Costa Rica back to Idaho. By November 30, Hannah was back on American soil, where the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office promptly charged her with second-degree kidnapping. It seems like her stint as an international fugitive had come to an abrupt end.

A Collective Sigh of Relief: Agencies Come Together

Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of various agencies, especially considering a child was at the center of this complex case. It’s not every day that a local police department gets to play a role in an international incident, but when they do, it’s reassuring to know they can count on the support of federal and international partners.

This international saga serves as a reminder of the complexity and sensitivity of custody disputes and the lengths to which some will go in such situations. While it might sound like something out of a movie, for the authorities and the family involved, it was a very real and serious matter. Thankfully, this story ended with the safe return of the child and the legal system taking its course, albeit with a bit more international flair than your average custody case.