Video: Haylee Donathan's uncle says escape of sex offender began as trick

Cyle Watson

Cyle Watson, the uncle of missing 3-year-old Haylee Donathan, was arrested Thursday for helping convicted sex offender, Robbi Potter escape from a halfway house. 

Also arrested in connection with the escape was Haylee’s father, James Donathan and his girlfriend, Nicole Kirkpatrick. 

Potter is a convicted sex offender who is believed to be with Haylee and her mother Candace Watson. 

Cyle Watson, 21, said he and Potter met at Belmont Correctional Institution, while Potter was serving three years for two counts of sexual battery on two children, ages 7 and 9. 

Watson was sentenced to three years in prison for the rape of a 12-year-old girl he claimed consented to the act and lied about her age. He also received five years probation for attempted rape.
 

On Feb. 28, Watson was released from prison to the Volunteers of America halfway house.

He told Mark Caudill of the Telegraph-Forum, “I was out a month, and I was at a strip club.” He saw Potter at the halfway house and said Potter owed him money. “I don’t even like the guy,” Watson said.

He claims he was trying to get Potting in trouble by telling him he had arranged a ride for him at the North Main Street BP station. Watson denies helping Potter escape. 

Haylee Donathan

The day after Potter left the facility, Watson said he talked to Haylee’s father, who said Potter came to see him and thought Watson had sent him over.  Donathan’s apartment building is located next to the halfway house.

Donathan called Haylee’s mother to give Potter a ride. 

See the interview of Cyle Watson below:

Watson said is very worried about Haylee and stated, “Things are really, really serious. It went from a trick to now. He messed with another girl. He might be messing with my niece.”

 
Authorities have been investigating possible leads that Haylee, her mother, and Potter may be in Phoenix, Ariz.

Robbi Potter

They are believed to be driving a 1988 blue or black Chevy pick-up truck with a 30-day tag Q645916 or Ohio license plate CKX6248 or EKB3855.

Haylee is a white female, approximately 2’5”, 37 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with Minnie Mouse on the front and light purple shorts.

Candace Watson

If you have seen Haylee, her mother, or Potter, please call 911, 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. 

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