Mother seeks justice after wrongful arrest by Newport News Police over custody dispute

In a tense moment at the Newport News City Council meeting, a mother shared her harrowing experience involving an Amber Alert and allegations of wrongful arrest. Speaking passionately, she recounted how she was detained at gunpoint in Georgia while traveling with her two daughters, despite having court-ordered custody.

The mother claimed that the Newport News Police Department acted unlawfully, leading to a warrant for her arrest on charges of parental abduction. She asserted that the police failed to verify the legitimacy of the custody documents presented to them, which she insists were valid and in her possession at the time of the incident.

Her narrative took a darker turn as she described a year of continuous incarceration, culminating in a conviction for parental kidnapping based on what she described as an expired custody order. She accused individuals involved in her case, including her children's father and a guardian ad litem, of providing false information to law enforcement, which she believes contributed to her wrongful arrest.

Despite her efforts to present credible documentation to various officials, including the police chief and the Commonwealth's attorney, she expressed frustration over her complaints being dismissed. She demanded to see the custody order that was allegedly used against her and questioned why the police had not conducted a thorough investigation into her claims.

As she concluded her testimony, she sought guidance on how to submit her documentation to the city clerk, hoping to shed light on her situation and seek justice. The emotional weight of her story resonated in the room, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by families entangled in legal disputes.