Elk City Woman Arrested in Oregon After Fleeing with Child in Custody Dispute

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Sept. 18, 2024

More details released regarding the arrest of an Elk City woman who allegedly absconded with her child despite not having legal custody.

According to a probable cause affidavit, on September 5, 46-year-old Shannon Lee Mahan was apprehended in Klamath County, Oregon, after allegedly fleeing with her 7-year-old daughter, who was in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The arrest followed a multi-state manhunt involving local and federal authorities.

Authorities say Mahan, who had previously been informed she could not leave the state with her daughter during reunification efforts, absconded in a 1996 white GMC SUV. The search began when Beckham County Deputies attempted to serve court orders for her daughter’s removal, issued due to safety concerns. The vehicle was spotted towing a camper registered to Mahan, leading to her arrest.

The situation escalated when law enforcement, including detectives from Beckham County Sheriff’s Office, tracked Mahan across multiple states. A Beckham County Deputy investigator, along with other officials, received a tip about her location in Oregon. Mahan and her daughter were ultimately found inside a camper at a rural campground in Klamath County.

Mahan now faces charges of maliciously taking a child with the intent to conceal them from their legal guardian. She remains in custody, pending extradition to Oklahoma, while her daughter is back in DHS care.