On August 1st, 2013, detectives from the Tucson Police Department found a child in a residence in Maricopa County who had been abducted by his mother during her supervised visitation with him in July.
On July 26, 2013, Tucson Police Department officers responded to a secured facility in the city of Tucson contracted by the Arizona Department of Economic Security Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding a possible child abduction. Staff reported to police that Teketa Riley was at the facility for a scheduled supervised visitation with her 6-year old son who was in CPS custody/care. During that time, multiple individuals arrived in a vehicle outside the facility and attempted to engage contact with employees inside. Eventually one of the occupants exited the vehicle and made contact with the front desk receptionist, causing a disturbance. As this was occurring, Riley fled the facility with her child to the awaiting vehicle. The person that created the disturbance returned to the vehicle and it left the area.
Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Division, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Office, initiated an investigation into the incident. On August 1st, 2013, the investigation led detectives to a residence in Maricopa County where Ms. Riley and the child were located. The child was found safe and unharmed. Two other individuals were arrested at the residence for their involvement in the custodial interference incident. A fourth individual involved, previously identified during the investigation, turned herself in to authorities in Maricopa County.
The investigation revealed that these four individuals were part of a small organized group of individuals that were philosophically opposed to CPS and its responsibilities. These individuals had previously engaged in activities in opposition to CPS in the Phoenix area. All four were booked into the Maricopa County Jail for 1 count each of custodial interference, a felony offense. They are awaiting extradition back to Tucson. The child was returned to CPS custody.
The four individuals arrested in this incident were:
• Teketa Riley, 37-years old
• Paula Flowe, 56-years old
• Debbie Ramos, 49-years old
• Crystal Nuttle, 54-years old