McALESTER —
An arrest warrant has been issued for a McAlester woman who is accused of failing to return her child to his father, who is the custodial parent, following a family visitation.
Police are looking for Kayla Harmon, 22, of McAlester, who is charged with a felony count of violation of a child custody order.
She is accused of taking her son, 4 year old Benjamin Harmon, on Feb. 2, to an unknown location and refusing to return him to his father, Anthony Dale Harmon, according to McAlester Police Det. Frankie McClendon.
“She may try to leave the state,” McClendon said of Kayla Harmon. “We have contacted the U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.”
Kayla Harmon is described as 4 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with green eyes and black hair.
The child is described as two feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 40 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair.
McClendon said the child had been visiting with his mother as part of court-ordered visitation on Feb. 2. When the child was not returned to the father as ordered, he filed a police report. Police said there also is a court order directing the child be returned to his father.
“I talked to the mom on Monday and Tuesday and made her aware of a court order,” McClendon said. “She has blatantly said she won’t return the child.”
McClendon said she would not disclose her location.
He said Kayla Harmon has indicated she’s concerned about the child’s safety, but none of the claims she’s made have been substantiated.
Police acted on information Tuesday that Kayla Harmon may have been in the Okmulgee area.
“Deputies went to a home in Okmulgee,” McClendon said, but were told that she had left prior to their arriving.
“The last contact we had with her was on Tuesday,” McClendon said.
“Based on statements, we are concerned about the child’s safety,” he said.
McClendon said there had been no threats, but police are concerned Kayla Harmon may try to leave the state or even the country.
McClendon said anyone with any information is asked to contact the McAlester Police Department at (918) 423-1212.
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone.
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