Two missing sisters from Gresham, Oregon, were successfully recovered by Multnomah County Sheriff's officers after their mother abducted them following a judge's decision to take away her custody rights. Local deputies requested an AMBER Alert; however, the Oregon State Police determined the case did not meet the strict rules needed to send out an alert. Even without the alert, local news stories and community help played a huge role in finding the children safely. During the search, the mother lied about where she was to confuse the police. This case shows important warning signs to watch for during family custody disputes.
Local deputies asked for an AMBER Alert because the mother took the kids without permission. However, the state alerting agency determined the case did not meet the strict criteria required to send one. To issue an alert, police must prove the children are in immediate danger of serious harm.
Court records showed some important warning signs before the abduction. The mother lost custody of the children in December 2025 and was only allowed visits with someone else watching. The abduction happened when a family member brought the children to see her, and she refused to give them back. Watching for these sudden changes during a custody dispute helps predict if a parent might try to run away with the children.
While police searched for the children, the mother tried to trick them. She talked to the police on the phone and claimed she was in Moses Lake, Washington. She also refused to cooperate with them. In the end, police found her and the unharmed children at an apartment complex in Gresham, Oregon. Lying about locations is a common tactic suspects may use to send police to the wrong state or city. Knowing about this can help police keep their search focused locally while still checking with other agencies.
Upon learning of the children's disappearance, local news and community action stepped in to help. Local reporters quickly shared pictures of the suspect, the children, and the car. Also, talking to the mother on the phone was very helpful. Even though she refused to cooperate, the phone calls proved she was actively hiding. This allowed local police teams to step up their search and safely rescue the children.
Key Findings
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The state agency determined the case did not meet the strict rules for an AMBER Alert, so one was not issued.
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The mother lied to the police about being in a different state to throw off the search.
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Breaking a recent, strict custody order was the main warning sign leading up to the abduction.
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Quick reporting by local news helped the public find the children when a statewide alert could not be used.
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