Mother to stand trial on upgraded kidnapping charges
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UNIONTOWN (AP) – A Western Pennsylvania woman who allegedly took her daughter to Texas for more than two years after a custody exchange with the girl’s father has been ordered to stand trial on kidnapping and related charges.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard reports 26-year-old Brittany Joseph, of Dunbar Township, is charged with felony interference of custody, because of the distance involved, and kidnapping.
The 7-year-old girl’s father, Michael Haines, testified he dropped off the girl with her grandmother on July 4, 2013 in a court-ordered custody exchange. Joseph was supposed to have custody of the girl for every other Saturday thereafter, but police say Joseph moved to Texas instead.
Joseph’s defense attorney argued unsuccessfully to have the kidnapping charge dropped. A judge also refused to change a previous order that Joseph not contact the girl while Joseph is free on bond awaiting trial.