A Prescott Valley woman, Erica Chantle Lunsford, was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers for kidnapping.
According to Prescott Valley Police, on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 12:47 p.m., they were notified of a kidnapping involving a child.
The victim reported her daughter, Erica, age 36, had taken her vehicle without permission along with two children, ages 5 and 10 years old. The victim is also the custodial parent of the 10-year-old child.
Prescott Valley Police learned Erica was possibly heading to California with the two children and requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP was able to locate the stolen vehicle, and arrested Erica in Indio, California and safely recovered the children and vehicle.
Erica remains in custody in California pending extradition to Arizona. She was charged with Kidnapping and Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation.