A Massachusetts couple is going through critical expenses after allegedly kidnapping their 5 kids, who had been positioned within the custody of the Massachusetts Division of Youngsters and Households (DCF).
Isael Rivera, 31, and Ruth Encarnacion, 30, had been situated by Fitchburg Police in early March, after a multi-state manhunt.
The couple is accused of taking the kids throughout state traces in an try and evade DCF intervention.
Authorities imagine the household fled Massachusetts shortly earlier than the state tried to implement baby protecting measures, based on WCVB 5.
Rivera, the organic father of 4 of the 5 kids, was arraigned final week in Fitchburg District Court docket. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and he’s at present being held with out bail, WHDH reported.
Encarnacion, the mom of all 5 kids, is scheduled to be arraigned this week and faces 5 counts of kidnapping a minor by a relative. A not-guilty plea has additionally been entered on her behalf.
In response to regulation enforcement, the household went lacking simply as DCF ready to take away the kids from Encarnacion’s care on February 27.
Encarnacion’s sister reported her lacking days afterward March 3, citing an absence of contact since February 26. DCF formally reported the 5 kids lacking on March 5, triggering a state and federal search.
Court docket paperwork point out that DCF had opened a case in opposition to the couple in February after a pediatrician flagged indicators of neglect involving the youngest baby, a 9-month-old. DCF intervened shortly thereafter, however by then, the household had reportedly left Massachusetts.
The youngsters—ages 10, 9, 5, 4, and 9 months—had been finally discovered unhurt in Whitney, Texas, and are actually within the custody of Texas Youngster Protecting Companies pending additional investigation.
Extra from Worcester Telegram & Gazette:
Legal professional Kevin Carl Larson countered that Encarnacion had “acted in the most effective curiosity of her kids” and was “defending her kids.”
Though she had earlier fled to Texas, Larson mentioned Encarnacion is just not a flight danger and mentioned she is just not going anyplace with out her kids.
Larson mentioned authorities lack possible trigger to cost his consumer. He mentioned Encarnacion was not current for the care and safety listening to and that she was not conscious of any court docket order.
