Orem woman arrested in Rexburg kidnapping

Rexburg police have arrested a woman they say took three children illegally.

Heather Anne John, 29, of Orem, Utah, was arrested at 4 p.m. Monday at the Rexburg Health and Welfare Office on a three-count felony complaint, including custodial interference and kidnapping.

Police have been looking for John since July 13, when the three children were reported missing from their father’s home in Rexburg. Two are her biological children, but the third is the daughter of another mother.

Rexburg Police Detective Rick SchmittsaysitwashardconvincingJohntocometoRexburgafterhidingout in OremandLasVegas, and trackingheronhercellphonewasn’tworking.
“Shewouldturniton andtalkincommonplaces–she’dgotomallsandbigparkinglotstotalktousonthephone.”

PolicesetupastingoperationattheState’sHealthandWelfareOfficeinRexburgMonday afternoon.WhenJohnarrived,policearrestedher.

“Throughtalkingwithheroverthe phoneseveraltimes, shefinallyagreedtocomeupandtrytoworkthingsout,andthat’s whenwearrestedher,” said Schmitt.

John was being held on $100,000 bond in the Madison County jail.

Police said the woman took her two children from their elementary school once before last December, but after authorities located her in Utah, no charges were filed at that time.

Schmitt said Tuesday he’s seen his fair share of custody battles–but never a case like this.

“She wants to have a relationship with her daughters, but she just can’t come up here and take her children,” he said.