Lori Vallow, Mom Of Two Missing Idaho Kids, Arrested In Hawaii

She faces multiple charges and is currently incarcerated on a $5 million bail, police say.

February 21, 2020

Lori Vallow [Kauai Police Department Facebook Page]

Lori Vallow [Kauai Police Department Facebook Page]

By: Aaron Rasmussen

Police in Hawaii, acting on a warrant issued in Madison County, Idaho, took Lori Vallow into custody in Princeville, Kauai, on Thursday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of her two children.

Vallow is currently incarcerated at the Kauai Police Department on a $5 million bail, the KPD announced on Twitter and Facebook.

According to police, the mom is charged with two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children.

She was also charged with resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court and willful disobedience of court process or order.

The KPD said Vallow’s new husband, Chad Daybell, has not been arrested or accused of any crime, USA Today reported. Neither Vallow nor Daybell currently face criminal charges in Hawaii.

Vallow’s two children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, were last seen in Idaho on Sept. 23, 2019.

After detectives opened an investigation into their disappearance, Vallow, 46, and Daybell, 51, vacated the family’s home in Rexburg, Idaho.

In December, the couple reappeared in Kauai, and the Rexburg Police Department requested the help of local law enforcement to track them down.

On Jan. 25, the KPD presented Vallow a child protection order on behalf of authorities in Madison County, demanding she present her children to officials in Idaho by Jan. 30. She reportedly failed to comply.

Investigators recently conducted a search of a car and condo Vallow and Daybell were renting in Kauai. The KPD said in the Feb. 20 statement there is “no indication” the missing kids are on the island.

According to the KPD, Vallow is expected to attend an upcoming hearing in Hawaii, during which she will be allowed to waive or fight extradition to Idaho.

“First of all, we wish to thank the public for the massive outpouring of concern regarding this case,” Kauai Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck said in a statement following Vallow’s arrest.

He added: “We also want to thank everyone for their patience while investigators worked diligently to comprehensively gather everything they needed in order to obtain this arrest warrant.”

Read more: CrimeFeed

Next Up

‘In Pursuit With John Walsh’ And FBI Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Michael Pratt Captured

On Dec. 23, the FBI confirmed they captured fugitive Michael Pratt in Spain. Pratt was arrested in connection with the operation of the GirlsDoPorn adult website.

Search For Missing Tennessee Girl Whose Aunt Also Disappeared In 2009 Continues

5-year-old Summer Wells disappeared in 2021, 12 years after her aunt, Rose Marie Bly, went missing. Reports suggest that the two unsolved cases are not connected.

Inside The Tragic Hart Family Murder-Suicide Crash

Jennifer and Sarah Hart killed themselves and murdered their six adopted children in 2018 by driving their SUV off a cliff in California.

It's Been More Than 15 Years Since Bianca Piper Vanished At Age 13

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a hotline dedicated to finding missing kids. If you know where Bianca "B" Piper is today, please reach out directly: 1-800-THE-LOST

In February 2001, Steven Kraft, Jr. Took His Dogs Outside And Disappeared

Over two decades ago, a 12-year-old boy went missing from outside his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The two dogs he was playing with have since been found but he remains missing.

5 Things You Need To Know About Susan Powell

In 2009, mother-of-two Susan Powell disappeared without a trace in West Valley City, Utah. Then in 2012, her husband Josh killed himself and their two sons after custody of the children was granted to Susan's parents.

12-Year-Old Celina Mays Was 9 Months Pregnant When She Vanished In 1996

Celina Mays was 12-years-old and two weeks away from giving birth when she disappeared in the middle of the night from her New Jersey home. If you have any information about Celina Mays, please call or text the IN PURSUIT hotline directly: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

Iowa Father Still Searching For Answers After Son’s 2013 Disappearance

Michael Workman’s son, Fredrick James Workman, disappeared at age 15 and may use the alias "Fred Shields."

Two Kidnapped Children Found Nearly One Year Later In Florida Supermarket

In February 2023, a routine vehicle tag check near a Winn-Dixie supermarket helped police locate the alleged kidnapper, 36-year-old Kristi Nicole Gilley, inside the store with the two children.

Two Missing Boys Last Seen Playing Together Found Dead In Different NYC Rivers

The bodies of missing young boys Alfa Barrie, 11, and Garrett Warren, 13, were discovered in two different Manhattan rivers.