SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Three Bellingham children will head back to Washington soon after their parents took them hundreds of miles away to escape Child Protective Services.
Police said the parents took their two infants and a toddler from Bellingham last month during a dispute with CPS.
The parents were taken into custody near Santa Cruz, Calif. Thursday, more than 1,000 miles away.
The children’s’ mother, 29-year-old Erica Carey, fought with officers when the family was discovered, according to authorities.
She reportedly head-butted a patrolman and kicked a deputy.
The children's father, 23-year-old Cleave Rengo, did not resist and was later released.
“We called Child Protection Services out here to take custody of those kids. They'll be taken back to Washington at some point,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Brad Sadek.
The children are OK.
CPS had removed the children previously because of inadequate medical care and concerns over their home life.
No word on who will take care of the children once they return.
KIRO
