Sept. 10, 2024
In a complex case that spanned across the country, the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office were called upon by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to assist in locating a parent who had absconded with their child. The child, initially in DHS custody for a brief period, was returned to the parent under specific conditions, one of which was that the parent was not permitted to leave the state. Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning said when DHS officials began experiencing concerns and attempted to retrieve the child, they discovered that the parent and child were no longer within reach, prompting them to seek assistance.
He said the county’s dispatch team successfully located the parent and child in the state of Oregon.
However, the operation faced challenges with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the system used to list missing persons. Law enforcement in Oregon was unable to proceed based on the DHS report alone and required a formal NCIC entry.
Sheriff Manning said county officials worked diligently to resolve the issue.
“Finally got that resolved, and then the law enforcement agencies went in and were able to take the child into custody and that we’ve got her safely back in DHS custody. We were happy to help. It just took us a little while to get this one done. But again, it goes back to the incredible work of my dispatch crew.”
Manning said it was unclear why the parent chose to go to Oregon, saying he suspects there could be family in the area or the parent was simply trying to get as far away from Western Oklahoma as possible.
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