Child Abduction Reported in Wilkesboro This Week

Monday afternoon, Wilkesboro Police were called to Cub Creek Park concerning a child abduction.  A man told Police that his six-year-old daughter had been abducted by her mother, Jessica Whitson.  The man showed documentation proving that he had full custody of the child.  Whitson was from Yancey County and was visiting with the child.  When the man tried to get his daughter, Ms. Whitson grabbed her, placed her in the car with her grandmother, and threatened the man with a knife. Whitson then stuck the knife in the man’s vehicle tire and left.  An Amber Alert was issued.  Wilkesboro Police contacted the child’s mother by cell phone, but she refused to return to Wilkes.  Police spoke with the child by cell phone to determine she was still OK.  Police contacted the Wilkes Magistrate’s Office which issued a Felony Warrant for child abduction.  Ms. Whitson and her mother were on their way back home to Yancey County with the child, so Wilkesboro Police contacted Burnsville Police.  Late Monday night, Wilkesboro Police were informed by Burnsville Police that Whitson and the child’s grandmother had been arrested and that the child had been returned to her father who had gone to Yancey County.  Early yesterday morning, Wilkesboro Police were informed that the Jessica Whitson was jailed under a 30,000 dollar bond and her mother was arrested with a 500 dollar bond.  Both women posted bond and were released.  Again, the 6-year-old girl was safely returned to her father.