A Saskatoon mother allegedly falsified her own and her son's deaths in an "elaborate and well-conceived plan" that included a handwritten checklist, according to court documents. have been accused.
Dawn Walker, 48, and her 7-year-old son were found by US authorities in Oregon City, Oregon on August 5.
According to US District Court filings, Walker was accused of stealing. The identity of a close friend who opens a bank account as part of a "kidnapping scheme" to kidnap her son and enter the United States illegally. She is currently being held in an Oregon state detention facility.
In a memo requesting that Walker be held in custody pending trial, U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight said she believed Walker was a "fugitive risk."
"As part of an elaborate and well-orchestrated plan, the defendant, a Canadian citizen, abducted a child and faked the deaths of her and her son before fleeing to the United States," Wight said. rice field.
"The defendant has every motive to flee to avoid the consequences of the crime. She should be detained."
Charge
She has been charged with felony aggravated identity theft and faces a two-year prison sentence if convicted.
Walker also faces misdemeanor identity theft charges that could carry a maximum sentence of six months.
In addition to the US charges, Saskatoon police charged Walker with kidnapping and public mischief in violation of her custody order. On Monday, deputy chief Randy Hausman said additional charges could be incurred.
Walker and her son were reported missing on her July 24th. Her truck and her belongings were found the next morning at the Saskatoon Chief's Whitecap Park.
An affidavit filed by US investigators outlines how Saskatoon residents found blankets, purses and broken fishing poles in the South Saskatchewan River on July 23.
Days after the discovery, police and volunteers searched the park and adjacent river for signs of Walker and her son.
Suspected Identity Fraud
According to an affidavit filed by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent, a friend of Walker's I have become aware of suspected identity fraud. Walker's disappearance.
Investigators had flagged two large checks on her business to her friend from her account listing Walker as the sole cardholder.
Two checks totaling $77,000 were written in his early June and deposited on May 16 into a bank account opened in the friend's name, referring to Walker's friend simply as " According to an affidavit calling it an "adult victim."
Children of friends are called "minors."
"While the adult victim did not open this bank account, (adult victim) will be required to file an (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Indian Status Card Proof) in April 2022. documents and Saskatchewan driver's license)," DHS Special Agent Clinton Linsley said in an affidavit.
A series of transactions began appearing in my bank account on July 25th. This includes food, gas, her Netflix in the hotel, and Airbnb rentals.
The prosecution began near the Canadian border in Butte, Montana and ended in Oregon City, according to affidavits.
"Then Canadian officials contacted his Airbnb and learned that there was now a rental property in Oregon City in the name of an adult victim," he said. .
According to the affidavit, Airbnb was placed under his DHS surveillance and a record review found that on the morning of July 23, in the name of the adult victim, the minor victim A man has been found who entered the United States with a child in his name.
His Equinox, a blue Chevrolet with Saskatchewan plates registered in the adult victim's name, sat in the rental's driveway, Linsley said.
In Walker's arrest
statement, Linsley said he saw Walker leave his Airbnb and get into a car.
"I approached the vehicle, still in police marks, and ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle. I immediately identified the woman as Walker." said Lindsley.
He said Walker asked and said his son was inside.
"Concerned about the child's safety and welfare, and the fact that she appeared to have left the child alone, investigators used a code provided by her Airbnb to remove her Airbnb rental. I went in and located the kid in the living room," Lindsley said.
Lindsly provided her real name when Walker asked, and had her status card, Saskatchewan driver's license, and debit card all bearing the name of the adult victim. said to have found
Investigators later said she found genuine Saskatchewan birth certificates in the names of both adult and minor victims. Lindsley said they were in the original mailing envelope addressed to the adult victim.
"I told Walker that people speculated that she and her son died in the river. She spontaneously said, 'He doesn't want to be with her father.' ' said Lindsley.
The special agent also obtained a fraudulent notarized document, allegedly from the minor victim's father, authorizing the child to travel to the United States for a wedding in South Dakota.
"Investigators confirmed that the minor victim's father did not grant such permission," Linsley said.
"Therefore, I believe that this document was produced by Walker in order to falsify his passport to enter the United States."
Checklist
}Linsley said he found what appeared to be a to-do list related to her disappearance.
"Found several pages that seemed to match a 'checklist' that staged the bizarre circumstances of their disappearance (i.e., making it appear that she and her son had fallen into a river. ),” Lindsley wrote. , perhaps buy a 'fishing rod', 'find the nearest border', etc. ,” covering her tattoos.
The sample list included in the affidavit also includes instructions such as "dye your hair," "throw your phone in the water," as well as bring your toys and pack your car. An explicit reminder to do so is also provided.
Custody battle
Linsley's affidavit stated that Walker and her son's biological father were "involved in a lengthy custody dispute," and died last July 22. He said he picked up the boy from his father on Friday. Police said she was seen one day before she disappeared. .
The following Monday, Saskatoon police were dispatched to Walker's home.
Officers "found the door unlocked, her animals unfed, and animal droppings on the ground of the house," Lindley said. Told.
After the pair were found, the boy was turned over to the Oregon Department of Social Services, where he was expected to be reunited with his father, Linsley said. Confirmed that the boy returned home with his legal guardian for the weekend.
- Keenan uses his Solokan file
