(Facebook)
A Massachusetts woman is wanted by police after she never returned her kids to their father on the night of December 20. Police in Lakeville said in a Facebook post that Valerie McGrath, 47, had been due to return her kids, Eden, 7, and Steven, 5, to their father at 5 p.m. on December 20. She never showed up and now cops are reaching out to the public in their search for the family.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Local Cops Are Worried for the Children’s Safety After ‘Actions by McGrath in the Last Few Weeks’
Lakeville police are searching for a 2002 Land Rover Discovery with a Massachusetts license plate 847ZZ2, according to the Facebook post. Anybody with any information is asked to call the Lakeville police on 508-947-4422. In a statement, Lakeville police said: “Due to the actions and statements made by McGrath in the last few weeks the Police Department has concerns for the safety of the children.”
2. She Initially Took the Kids With Permission
(Lakeville Police Department)
CBS Boston reports that McGrath took the children with their father’s permission at 1:30 p.m. on December 20 but never returned them.
(Lakeville Police Department)
The father, Steven Carrigan, has sole custody of the kids. She is facing a charge of minor kidnapping by a relative, reports WHDH.
3. She Works as a Real Estate Agent
(LinkedIn)
On her Facebook page, McGrath, who goes by “Valerie Gazard McGrath” on the site, last posted a photo of her and her kids on December 18. Little other information can be gleamed from her page other than she lives in Lakeville. Her page is littered with images of her and her children. McGrath works as a real estate agent in Lakeville with an office at 70 Main Street in the town, according to her LinkedIn page.
4. The Children’s Father Has Been Arrested Twice for Assault & Battery in the Past 4 Years
The kids’ Dad is very concerned – he got custody within the past year. The kids were due back at 5pm Sunday.
According to his LinkedIn page, Steven Carrigan worked as a supervisor for UPS for 30 years and still works in the transport and trucking sector. He’s a graduate of Stonehill College. In July 2011, he was arrested for assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He was arrested again in September 2013 for assault and battery.
5. If Convicted, McGrath Could Face 5 Years in Prison
(Facebook)
The town of Lakeville is around 40 miles south of Boston. State law in Massachusetts indicated that if found guilty of kidnapping of a minor relative, a person could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000.