Couple arrested in Maine surrender in kidnapping

DEDHAM – Two New Hampshire teenagers were arrested in Maine last week after they allegedly kidnapped a 5-month-old child in New Hampshire, have turned themselves in to authorities there.

Police in Franklin, N.H., last week were looking for David Fales, 18, and a 17-year-old girl, the mother of the infant girl, both of Franklin, N.H., who were accused of taking the child from New Hampshire without the permission of the infant’s legal guardian, according to Sgt. Tim Varney of the Maine State Police. The incident apparently stems from a custody dispute over the child, Varney said Wednesday.

“When they left [with the child], the Franklin Police Department issued two warrants for their arrest for kidnapping,” he said.

Maine State Police, working with New Hampshire authorities, received word that Fales and the young woman had fled to Maine and were staying with a relative on Sunset Road in Dedham. Varney and Trooper David Barnard went to that home on Oct. 9 and arrested the couple as fugitives from justice. Fales and the young woman were taken into custody while Barnard remained at the residence until the legal guardian arrived to retrieve the child the next morning.

According to the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office, both Fales and the young woman were formally charged as fugitives from justice and were later released with instructions to turn themselves in to the Franklin Police Department.

The DA’s Office confirmed that Fales turned himself in on Oct. 11 and the young woman surrendered on Monday. The Maine charges against them will be dismissed.