FAMILY LAW DAILY NEWS

Amber Alert for lacking Wisconsin toddler canceled after little one discovered protected; three taken into custody

August 5, 2021 12:09 PM

Posted on August 5, 2021 12:09 PM

Updated: August 5, 2021 9:55 pm

Courtesy: Department of Justice of Wisconsin

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wisconsin – A statewide Amber Alert for a two-month-old boy has been canceled after the child was found safe in Columbia County on Thursday.

Wisconsin Rapids Police said they were investigating a possible case of child neglect or abuse and were trying to check the welfare of Dorian Giesen when the alert was issued. When officials attempted to meet up with his non-liable mother, Wisconsin Rapids’ 28-year-old Haley Pelot, she allegedly sped off and started a car chase. Police stopped the chase when Pelot allegedly harmed the baby.

Authorities later received information that a vehicle was passing through Columbia County that morning and may be in the Rio area. Local police and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office have been dispatched to begin the search.

A Columbia County MP found the suspect’s vehicle in Rio. The car was sprayed, had its license plates removed with various license plates attached, and showed other signs of someone trying to camouflage the vehicle.

Officials confirmed that it was the suspicious vehicle and began searching nearby apartments and houses. The police finally found Giesen in a residential unit. The publication said the others inside were not cooperative and refused to leave the house. A man reportedly told officers he had a gun and told them to leave.

A negotiator with the sheriff’s office was able to talk to those inside and de-escalate the situation after a 30-minute stalemate. Pelot and Nicholas Shawn Hope, 36, of Wisconsin Rapids, later surrendered and were taken into custody without incident.

The baby was brought to safety and given precautionary medical care in a hospital. Giesen is now in the care of the child protection service.

Pelot and Hope were transferred to the Columbia County Jail for pending arrest warrants and violations of their parole and probation obligations. Additional charges are expected from multiple jurisdictions as crimes have been committed in multiple counties. The press release states that a handgun was also found and taken as evidence.

An investigation later found that the two were receiving help and shelter from the tenant of the apartment where they were found. Sonja Lynn Lawless, 32, from Rio, was eventually taken into custody for helping a felon.

The sheriff’s office received assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Rio Police Department, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Rio EMS, Aspirus Divine Savior Paramedic, and Blystones Towing and Recovery.

Comments are closed.