Chelsie Lehmann (Portage Co. Jail)
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Charges have been brought against the mother of six-year-old Ruby Lehmann, who was the subject of a multi-day AMBER Alert last week.
Chelsie Lehmann is accused of encouraging Jordan Coyle to have contact with Ruby, to the point of moving in with him at his home in Almond. Coyle, 34, wasn’t allowed to reside with children after he was convicted of child sex crimes.
An arrest warrant was issued for Coyle after authorities learned he was living with the girl, but he worked to evade authorities. Lehmann is accused of helping him do so while allowing him to form a close relationship with her daughter.
The 31-year-old is now being held on a $10,000 cash bond as she faces one felony count for aiding or harboring a felon, along with a misdemeanor for encouraging a parole violation. She will return to court on Friday.
Conditions of her bond include a full no-contact order with Coyle and her daughter.
Investigators say there is no evidence that Coyle took Ruby through the use of force or threats, and that she likely sought him out.
Coyle is being held on a probation violation. It’s unclear what charges he may be facing as the investigation continues. Both are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
District Attorney Cass Cousins released the following statement: “The missing persons complaint and Amber Alert has caused tremendous fear and concern in the community. Ms. Lehman is alleged, through her actions, to have aided a felon avoid lawful arrest and thereby directly contributed to causing this alarming situation. Thankfully, through law enforcement’s tireless, around-the-clock efforts, the child was found safe in less than 48 hours. While current information indicates that the child was not physically abducted from the residence by threats or force, but rather left seeking to find Mr. Coyle as he hid in the woods and avoided arrest on his warrant, the State intends to prosecute all applicable criminal offenses from this incident. I would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies and other county organizations involved thus far for their impressive efforts to locate the child safely.”
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