Non-Custodial Mom Who Took Baby to Costa Rica Returned to US to Face Charges

An Idaho woman accused of taking her 1-year-old child out of the country earlier this year has been extradited from Costa Rica to face kidnapping and custodial interference charges.

Laurel E. Hannah, 40, took the child from their custodial parent in early August and was charged in Bonner County with custodial interference, the US Marshals Service said. The county Prosecutor’s Office later added a kidnapping charge, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee.

When Sandpoint Police learned that Hannah had likely fled the country, the US Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugituve Task Force joined the investigation to find her. Hannah was located and arrested by Costa Rican authorities on August 23. The child was found safe and returned to their custodial parent.

Hannah was returned to the United States on Thursday at the end of a lengthy extradition process. Marshals traveled 4,000 miles to Costa Rica and brought her back to Spokane International Airport and on to Bonner County.

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[Featured image: Laurel Hannah arrives at Spokane International Airport/US Marshals Service. Inset: Sandpoint Police Department]