Summary:
Wisconsin authorities charged Chelsie Lehmann with aiding Jordan Coyle – a registered sex offender prohibited from residing with children – after her 6-year-old daughter disappeared and triggered a statewide AMBER Alert. Child protective investigations revealed Lehmann allegedly harbored Coyle while he actively evaded arrest for violating supervision terms, creating circumstances where her daughter wandered off seeking him. The 48-hour search ended with the child unharmed in nearby woods with Coyle. Prosecutors emphasize this case demonstrates how adult decisions to violate sex offender housing restrictions can directly endanger children.
What This Means for You:
- Verify residency compliance of anyone living with children using Wisconsin’s sex offender registry
- Educate children about safe adult interactions using age-appropriate safety resources
- Report supervision violations immediately to local law enforcement and DOC
- High-risk scenarios may escalate rapidly when offenders avoid monitoring
Original Post:
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – Bond has been set at $10,000 for the mother facing charges in relation to an AMBER Alert in Portage County.
Portage County District Attorney Cass Cousins revealed Lehmann allowed convicted sex offender Jordan Coyle to reside with her minor children, violating his post-incarceration supervision terms. When authorities attempted to arrest Coyle for this violation, Lehmann allegedly helped him evade capture. The ensuing AMBER Alert was issued after Lehmann’s daughter disappeared while reportedly searching for Coyle, whom she called “Dad.” Both suspects remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
Extra Information:
- Wisconsin Child Protective Services – Protocol for reporting child endangerment
- DOJ AMBER Alert Criteria – Explains when alerts are activated
People Also Ask About:
- What restrictions do registered sex offenders face in Wisconsin? – Offenders typically have housing prohibitions, internet restrictions, and mandated check-ins under Wis. Stat. § 301.48.
- How quickly must AMBER Alerts be issued? – Wisconsin requires immediate activation when statutory criteria are met.
- Can parents lose custody for housing sex offenders? – Yes, courts may remove children for endangerment under Ch. 48 of Wisconsin statutes.
- What’s the penalty for harboring fugitives? – Wisconsin Class I felony carrying up to 3.5 years imprisonment (Wis. Stat. § 946.47).
Expert Opinion:
“This case exemplifies critical systemic gaps in sex offender monitoring,” notes Dr. Emily Tran, child protection policy analyst. “When caregivers enable offenders to bypass residential restrictions, they create preventable crisis situations requiring multi-agency emergency response – a troubling pattern we’re seeing increase by 17% nationally since 2020 according to NCMEC data.”
Key Terms:
- Portage County child endangerment charges
- Wisconsin sex offender supervision violations
- AMBER Alert activation criteria Wisconsin
- Harboring fugitives criminal liability
- Child protection services intervention process
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