Statewide Iowa — A statewide alert was issued for the parents of Dakota Ray after they were caught on surveillance cameras, with the two-year-old child, at a hospital in Le Mars on Monday.
Police in Camden, South Carolina said they were concerned about Dakota’s wellbeing because her parents are believed to be “heavy methamphetamine users.” William and Jessica Ray do NOT have custody of the girl.
On Thursday, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that the couple was spotted near Decorah. A deputy arrested the pair a short time later on a variety of charges. The girl is now in the custody of the Department of Human Services. William and Jessica Ray will be sent back to South Carolina, where they’ll face kidnapping charges.
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Original story posted 3:02 pm 5/17/18
Northwest Iowa — The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, along with a South Carolina police department are asking for the public’s assistance to locate a missing 2-year old child who may be in the northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota area.
The Camden, South Carolina Police Department says 2-year old Dakota Ray was taken on April 15th, by her parents William and Jessica Ray. According to law enforcement both William and Jessica are believed to be heavy methamphetamine users and law enforcement is concerned for the child’s wellbeing.
The child and her parents were captured in surveillance images on Monday, May 14th at a hospital in northwest Iowa. Law enforcement then received information that they may now be in southwest Minnesota.
The child and companions are traveling in a 1996 gold Ford Aerostar van and may be frequently changing the license plate on the vehicle.
According to Camden Police Department It is possible that they may be begging or asking strangers for money. The child and companions are also believed to be sleeping in their vehicle.
Dakota is 2 years old. She is 2 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 25 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes.
Jessica is 36 years old. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 112 pounds and has long light brown hair and blue eyes.
William is 44 years old. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs 340 pounds and has light brown hair and brown eyes.
If anyone has seen Dakota, William or Jessica Ray, they’re asked to contact the Camden Police Department at 1-888-CRIMESC (1-888-274-6372) or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Security camera footage of the trio, as well as their vehicle, can be seen below. A photo of 2-year old Dakota can be seen at the top of this story.
