Reward posted for Emporia girl who allegedly failed to seem at sentencing in parental custody interference case

Jessica Downs. Lyon County Jail photo.

There is now a reward posted for the Emporia woman who accepted a plea agreement in a parental custody case involving a reported missing child early this year.

Lyon County Crime Stoppers has a reward of up to $1,000 in the case of Jessica Suzanne Downs, who was set for sentencing Wednesday but failed to appear. A bench warrant is also in effect.

In late April, Downs entered a so-called Alford plea of no contest to misdemeanor interference with parental custody and was subsequently found guilty. An Alford plea means the defendant says he or she is innocent but admits there is enough evidence to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Back in January, Downs allegedly kept a 2-year-old boy for two days longer than the visitation agreement as indicated by court records provided to KVOE News. The child was reported as missing, setting off an intense law enforcement search before the boy was found safe.

Residents with information can call Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273, go online to www.P3Tips.com or download the P3Tips mobile app.

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