Mother accused of kidnapping child from ex-husband to live at a religious compound

MURRAY, Utah (TCN) -- A 53-year-old woman faces federal charges after allegedly abducting her non-custodial daughter from Utah with help from family members and transporting her to Missouri to live at a religious compound.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah announced that a federal grand jury indicted Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet last week on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Her son, 30-year-old Jaxson Davidson, along with 23-year-old Dallas Davidson and 53-year-old Kristine Merrill, reportedly assisted in the alleged kidnapping and face the same charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Davidson-Drolet allegedly kidnapped her non-custodial child from Utah in January 2023 through June 2024. Officials issued a warrant for her arrest on Dec. 20, 2023.

In a bulletin, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said the victim was 4 years old when Davidson-Drolet allegedly abducted her.

Prosecutors said Davidson-Drolet hid their location by using the United States Postal Service and cellular and other electronic devices such as a burner phone. Davidson-Drolet reportedly "went through great lengths to avoid apprehension and formed an elaborate plan to take the child out of Utah" with help from her co-defendants.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Davidson-Drolet and her son drove to Missouri, and Merrill helped them leave. Following her departure, Davidson-Drolet reportedly ignored a court order regarding the custody of her child. KOLR-TV reports that Davidson-Drolet and her ex-husband were in the middle of divorce and child custody hearings before the alleged abduction.

Prosecutors said Davidson-Drolet "remained at large for over a year," and she "hid the child away from her custodial father and law enforcement."

Davidson-Drolet allegedly planned the abduction 14 months in advance.

Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davison, and Merrill reportedly continued to conceal Davidson-Drolet and the child’s whereabouts from authorities.

Davidson-Drolet was reportedly seen with the child at a religious compound prior to her arrest. A complaint reviewed by KOLR says the compound is led by Paul Dean, the founder of a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "religious-type cult." Dean is allegedly related to Davidson-Drolet.

Davidson-Drolet is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 13.

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