Deputies Rescue 9-Year-Old Kidnapping Victim After Multi-Agency Pursuit Across Central Oregon
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County deputies safely recovered a 9-year-old child reported kidnapped out of Multnomah County after a 30-minute pursuit that stretched across multiple Central Oregon communities Sunday night.
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the chase began around 8 p.m. near La Pine when Oregon State Police tried to stop a vehicle connected to a custodial interference and kidnapping investigation. The driver, identified as 46-year-old Charity Carter of La Pine, refused to pull over and took off, sparking the pursuit south of Bend.
Deputies joined in as Carter sped north through Bend and into Redmond, reportedly driving recklessly and endangering other drivers. Out of concern for the child’s safety, deputies temporarily disengaged from the chase several times.
During the pursuit, investigators say Carter struck five law enforcement vehicles—three belonging to the sheriff’s office—and damaged at least two civilian vehicles in a Safeway parking lot in Redmond. None of the vehicles’ occupants were hurt, according to authorities.
Deputies eventually disabled Carter’s vehicle using spike strips and a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver on Highway 97 in Redmond, just south of Exit 119 near Hemlock Avenue. The chase ended around 8:36 p.m., and the child was safely rescued and later reunited with their custodial parent.
The northbound lanes of Highway 97 were closed for about 30 minutes for investigation and vehicle recovery.
Carter was taken into custody and faces several charges, including kidnapping, hit and run, reckless driving, reckless endangering, attempting to elude, and criminal mischief. Additional charges from Oregon State Police are expected. Officials said K9 Delta assisted in the arrest.
No injuries were reported among officers or members of the public. The Sheriff’s Office thanked Oregon State Police and the Redmond Police Department for their help during the incident.
