Ventura Mother Pleads Guilty to Child Stealing

A Ventura mother of two who fled to Sri Lanka rather than give up her children pleaded guilty to four felonies on Thursday, but will likely avoid prison.

Niki Lynn Ruberoe, 33, on Thursday admitted to charges of child stealing, violating a custody agreement, conspiracy and aiding and abetting failure to appear in court.

She could have received eight years in state prison for her crimes but agreed to the plea on the condition she receive probation. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Ruberoe was granted temporary custody of her two children last summer. But when her husband, the children’s stepfather, was convicted of multiple counts of child molestation, she chose to take the children out of the country rather than return them to their biological father, Ruberoe’s ex-husband.

Ruberoe admitted taking the children, ages 10 and 13, to France and then arranging for them to meet her husband, Channa Ruberoe, in Sri Lanka, where he is a citizen.

Niki Ruberoe was returned to Ventura County last month, but authorities are still attempting to bring back her husband, who is fighting extradition because he still faces sentencing on the molestation charges and would probably face additional penalties for failing to appear in court.

Defense attorney Steve P. Pell on Thursday called the plea bargain reasonable.

“She doesn’t belong in prison,” said Pell, who added that his client would be filing for divorce from her husband soon.