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Haylee Donathan
Late Friday afternoon, a domestic relations magistrate gave custody of 4-year-old Haylee Donathan to her maternal grandmother, Mary Watson.
Haylee has been missing since May 28, and is believed to be with her mother, Candace Watson, and convicted fugitive sex offender Robbi Potter.
An Amber Alert was not initially issued in the case, since Haylee was with her mother, who authorities believe is voluntarily with Potter.
But, with Mary now deemed the custodial parent, an Amber Alert can be issued.
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Robbi Potter
Such an alert would mean that broadcasters, law enforcement, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry can activate an urgent bulletin to assist in the search for Haylee.
An Amber Alert will also allow authorities to use electronic billboards to run images of the vehicle Potter may be driving.
Mary Watson said, “Thank the Lord.”
Two local attorneys, Heather Cockley and Charles Lynch, helped Mary obtain custody of Haylee free of charge.
According to U.S. Marshal Peter Elliot, “This is a priority case for our task force. We are hopeful that this new ability to receive tips via text will bring the one key tip we need to bring this manhunt to an end and bring little Haylee home safely.”
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Candace Watson
The vehicle Potter is believed to be driving is a 1988 black and green Chevy pick-up truck with Ohio license plates ENS9729, although according to authorities, Watson has been known to switch plates on vehicles.
If you have seen Haylee, Watson, or Potter, please call 911, the toll free hotline at 866-4WANTED, the Crestline Police Department at 419-683-2222 or the Richland County Division of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 419-774-3930.
HAYLEE DONATHAN RELATED STORIES :
- Video: Roommate says on Nancy Grace she saw Haylee Donathan in bed with mother and sex offender
- Haylee Donathan case: $10,000 reward for the capture of escaped sex offender, Robbi Potter
- Slideshow: Key players in the Haylee Donathan case
- Truck related to Haylee Donathan, her mom, sex offender spotted in Stratton, Colorado
- Video: Haylee Donathan seen with convicted sex offender in Wal-Mart surveillance video
- U.S. Marshals offer reward for capture of sex offender believed to be with Haylee Donathan
- Video: Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell covers latest in the Haylee Donathan case
- Video: Haylee Donathan's uncle says escape of sex offender began as trick
- Three arrests made in Haylee Donathan case
- Search continues for 3-year-old Haylee Donathan
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Comments
I'm so glad someone stepped up to help Ms. Watson get custody of Haylee. Let's hope and pray Haylee will be found soon and safe!
Praise God for that. The ultimate blessing will be when Haylee is returned safely
Ok lets see...her grown son is in prison for raping a 12 year old and her daughter is on the run with a convicted sex offender. Am I the only one that thinks this child needs to be placed with someone other than the grandmother that has already raised 2 children with no morals?
ITS NOT ALWAYS THE PARENTS FAULT THAT THE CHILD GOES BAD MY SISTER IS ON EXAMPLE
At this point I think this grandmother is the only choice if you want to get the Amber alert activated. It is emergency custody too so if she has a history of problematic parenting then it may not be permanent. I wonder what the story is on the grandfather. We see the grandma on tv but not the grandfather. I wonder if he was abusive and that is where the kids got this from. There certainly is a lot of dysfunction in this family but the grandma seems loving. I wonder if the mother was lured with a promise of drugs. If they are selling drugs that could be providing cash on the road.
This grandma should NOT get custody of Haylee! The poor girl gets saved and now gets handed over to a woman whose daughter dates sex offenders and a son is a sex offender. Sorry, the whole family needs to stay out of this. They've already cost us all too much already.
Poor Haylee, being handed right back to the wolves!
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