Member of Christian ranch tipped off authorities to Haylee Donathan’s whereabouts

June 24, 6:32 PMCrime ExaminerCindy Adams

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Haylee Donathan

After 4-year-old Haylee Donathan disappeared with her mother, Candace Watson, and convicted sex offender Robbi Potter on May 28, a nationwide manhunt ensued. On Tuesday, the three were found at the Morning Star Ranch, a Christian organic farm in Valley Center, Calif.

A resident of the ranch was in Las Vegas and saw the recent Amber Alert issued in the case, which showed a photo of the truck the three were driving, and the truck’s license plate number. 

The resident called the ranch and authorities were tipped off that the three had been helping out and living at the communal ranch for about a week. 

The ranch resident who was contacted about the alert, Kenin Carlin, 53, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that, “the three showed up at the avocado, grapefruit and persimmon farm about a week ago." 

Robbi Potter

According to the report, "The well-kept farm consists of several buildings, including a main house, fruit groves, a large garden and a pen where goats and other animals are kept.”

“We don’t do background checks. We welcomed Robbi and Candace and Haylee. They told us they were from Ohio, but we don’t watch television. We didn’t know CNN was doing a nightly thing on them,” said Carlin.

The three were given a room in the main house of the ranch. “You can say in retrospect they were on their best behavior. They didn’t act strange or threatening in any way… They were pretty normal people,” Carlin said. “They didn’t seem like a perfectly happy couple, but a lot of young couples have problems.”

The resident who saw the Las Vegas Amber Alert called Carlin, who verified the "family's" vehicle and license plate.  At that point, Carlin called the sheriff.

According to Carlin, law enforcement “came with plenty of force. There was a helicopter overhead. It was definitely tense.”

Candace Watson

Carlin and the other residents were quietly moved to another house on the compound. Of Watson and Potter, Carlin said, “They surrendered and were handcuffed and were marched out.”

U.S. Marshal Omar Castillo told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Haylee appeared to be in good spirits, but may have a case of the chicken pox.

Castillo also indicated that prior to the week the three stayed at the ranch, they may have visited the Wild Animal Park in the area, according to another tip received by authorities.

“We pray to be delivered from evil every day, and it’s obvious we were,” said Carlin. “None of our children were harmed. There were no criminal acts here. We’re very thankful for the police and how… helpful they were to us and how much care they took not to cause harm.”

Haylee will be handed over to her grandmother who was given emergency custody of her just days ago. This allowed for the recent Amber A, which eventually brought Haylee home.
 

 HAYLEE DONATHAN RELATED STORIES :  

• Video: U.S. Marshal Peter Elliot announces Haylee Donathan found safe
• Haylee Donathan found safe in San Diego
• Grandma given emergency custody of Haylee Donathan
• 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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