Caldwell kidnapping suspect arrested in Sisters, three children safe

SISTERS – (Information from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office) A mother allegedly kidnapped her own children and crossed state lines before being arrested on Sunday, May 5.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Leah Marie Sharp, a 37-year-old transient, was arrested at a campsite located near Highway 20 and USFS Rd 4606 in Sisters. 

Sharp was wanted on multiple charges stemming from Caldwell, Idaho, including three counts of Custodial Interference and three counts of Kidnapping.

The arrest followed a routine patrol by a Deschutes County deputy, who discovered the camp believed to be occupied by Sharp. Authorities learned that Sharp was likely accompanied by her three children, who had been reported missing and deemed endangered due to the nature of the charges against Sharp.

Upon confirming the presence of Sharp and the children at the campsite, multiple deputies moved in and successfully took Sharp into custody without any resistance. The three children, identified as a 4-year-old male, a 4-year-old female, and a 7-year-old female, were found unharmed.

The Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division, promptly responded to the scene. They took custody of the children and organized their safe return to Idaho.

Sharp was transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Jail and detained under the out-of-state warrant issued against her for Custodial Interference and Kidnapping charges.

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