closed cases > Haylee Donathan-found safe

Cops: Haylee's mom said she's 'in love'

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goinsfl:
June 25, 2009


MANSFIELD — Haylee Donathan’s mother knew sex offender Robbi Potter was on the run, authorities said Wednesday.

“She provided him with money and transportation to avoid arrest,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said. “She says she’s in love with him.”

Candace Watson and Potter were arrested Tuesday afternoon at a Christian retreat center near San Diego, ending a month-long nationwide manhunt for the couple and 4-year-old Haylee. Authorities were desperate to find the girl because of Potter’s criminal background, which includes a three-year prison sentence for two counts of sexual battery involving 7- and 9-year-old victims.

A tipster reportedly saw one of the digital nationwide billboards that were put up by Clear Channel Communications in partnership with U.S. Marshals. The tipster recognized the trio as residents of Morning Star Ranch and called both 9-1-1 and the ranch, where staff kept police apprised of Potter and Watson’s movements.

“The arrest couldn’t have gone smoother,” said Jeremiah Carlin, manager of work activities at Morning Star Ranch. “All we had to do was show them where they were.”

Carlin described the place as a multi-family avocado farm. Potter, Watson and Haylee had stayed there for much of the month.

“They had been hanging out at beaches and sleeping at truck stops,” Elliott said.

Potter and Watson learned about Morning Star Ranch when someone at the beach handed them a flier.

“They told them they were a down-and-out family that needed help,” Elliott said.

Potter and Watson claimed they were married, Carlin said, adding they were on their best behavior.

The couple will face serious charges. Potter was wanted on a state warrant for a parole violation and on a federal warrant for violating probation. Watson was charged with complicity to escape.

According to Elliott, U.S. Marshals will pursue a charge through the Adam Walsh Act against Potter, who could be looking at 10 years in prison, if a federal court approves the charge. As a Tier III sex offender — the designation for the most serious convictions — Potter could not leave the area.

Watson could be charged with harboring a fugitive.

Elliott said the extradition process normally takes about 10 days. Federal authorities will bring Potter back to Ohio, while the Richland County Sheriff’s Office will transport Watson, unless she, too, is charged federally.

Mary Watson, Haylee’s grandmother, was awarded emergency custody of Haylee late last week. She doesn’t want to believe her daughter knowingly put Haylee in danger.

“I got really mixed feelings about that,” Mary Watson said. “I don’t know what to think. I want to talk to her.”

Watson is more concerned about Haylee and being reunited with her granddaughter. Haylee’s being evaluated, which could take two or three days. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is involved in the case.

Watson doesn’t know if she can wait for Haylee to come home.

“I was going to see if I can get on a plane and go,” Watson said.

Watson, 47, of Mansfield said she can handle raising Haylee.

“I’ve had temporary custody before,” she said. “Haylee loves her Ma-Maw. I know she wants to be with me.”

The Richland County division of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, which formed a partnership with U.S. Marshals in January, has been working the case from its inception. Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Bosko said task force members worked from 8 a.m. until 1 or 2 a.m. seven days a week.

“It was probably the most exhausting criminal investigation I’ve been part of,” he said. “It was pretty much nonstop.”

Bosko called the case “once in a career.” Providing assistance were the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Shelby, Plymouth and Crestline police departments. Bosko also credited the county Emergency Management Agency for providing a command center.

Bosko admitted feeling pressure to bring Haylee home.

“As more time goes on, you always have that question. Where is she?” he said. “You had a concern because you knew they (Potter and Watson) were not taking care of her.”

Haylee’s case has received nationwide coverage from CNN’s “Nancy Grace,” which planned an update Wednesday with a live remote feed from the sheriff’s office.

Bosko was less interested in the limelight than getting some rest.

“I’m going home at 4,” he said. “I don’t care what they do here.”


http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20090625/NEWS01/306250001&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

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