A mother from South Florida was arrested at Miami International Airport (MIA) after attempting to take her two young children out of state, violating an existing custody order.
The incident triggered a Missing Minors Alert and resulted in the location of the two children in good health, as well as the arrest of the mother identified as Shandrell Deon Willis, 36 years old, according to the local press.
What is known about the case?
It all began on Monday morning in the town of Homestead when the father of the children, who has sole custody, returned home to find the house ransacked and his children missing.
According to what he explained to the authorities, he had not authorized anyone to collect them.
The minors, Ivy Mitchell, 6 years old, and Devin Mitchell Jr., 10, were reported missing and a state alert was immediately issued for their location.
The situation became especially serious when it was revealed that there was a court order issued in February that clearly stated that Willis was not allowed to come within 500 feet of the father or the minors, except during supervised visits lasting four hours every other Saturday, under the supervision of a paternal uncle.
Without details about the loss of custody
Although the information provided by the authorities and the media confirms that the father has full custody of the minors, the specific reasons that led to Willis losing his custody rights have not been publicly disclosed.
However, it is known that he is facing a charge for violating a restraining order related to domestic violence, which could be connected to his legal situation.
However, none of the official or media sources have clarified whether this order is related to incidents directly involving the children, the father, or both.
This omission leaves a gray area in the case, especially concerning the family's prior history and the court decisions that limited Willis's contact with his children.
The search and discovery at the airport
The investigation was quickly initiated. According to the arrest report, Willis showed up at the father's home between 5:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Monday, packed the children's clothes, and took them without authorization, flagrantly violating the custody order.
The next day, Tuesday, agents from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office located Willis along with the two minors at Miami International Airport, accompanied also by a third child of Willis, from another relationship.
According to the mother’s account and confirmed by the minors, they had all spent the night in a hotel and were planning to take a flight to Georgia or Texas.
However, payment issues prevented them from completing the purchase of the plane tickets, which delayed their departure from the state.
While they were searching for a more affordable flight option, the authorities managed to intercept them at the airport.
Willis was arrested around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday without incident and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Records indicate that she faces multiple charges, including:
-Two charges for interference with parental custody.
-Two for attempting to take minors out of the state.
-One for violating a restraining order for domestic violence.
After her arrest, Willis was informed of her Miranda rights. Initially, she denied knowing about the existence of the court order, but later acknowledged its validity. She refused to answer any more questions and requested the presence of a lawyer.
During his first appearance before the court, which took place this Wednesday, a public defender was assigned to him and bail was set at $7,500.
The judge also ordered her to stay away from the children and their father.
Although the police report described her as a homeless person, the hearing revealed that she works as a domestic worker.
Fortunately, the children were found in good health and returned to their father's custody. As for the third child, whose custody situation was not immediately clear, the authorities have not provided any additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Shandrell Deon Willis and her missing children
Why was Shandrell Deon Willis arrested at Miami Airport?
Shandrell Deon Willis was arrested for attempting to take her two young children out of state, violating a custody order that prohibited her from approaching them unsupervised. The arrest occurred while she was at Miami International Airport with her children and a third child from another relationship, trying to purchase plane tickets to Georgia or Texas.
What is the current legal situation of Shandrell Deon Willis?
Shandrell Deon Willis faces multiple charges, including two for interference with parental custody, two for attempting to remove minors from the state, and one for violating a domestic violence restraining order. Her bail has been set at $7,500, and she has been ordered to stay away from the children and their father.
Why were the children of Shandrell Deon Willis reported missing?
The children of Willis were reported missing after their father found their home ransacked and the kids absent. The disappearance triggered a Missing Child Alert, as the father, who has full custody, had not authorized the pickup of the minors, Ivy and Devin Mitchell.
What measures were taken to locate the missing children in Miami-Dade?
A Missing Child Alert was activated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), prompting police units to mobilize and generating extensive coverage on social media. Thanks to community cooperation and the swift response of the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office, the children were found safe and sound at the airport.
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