Noncustodial Mother Held in Child’s Abduction
A 3-year-old girl taken from her home Monday was returned at 3 a.m. Wednesday, and police booked her noncustodial mother on suspicion of child stealing.
Stephanie Angel Allen, who lives with her father, Kevin Allen, was dropped off without notice at 3 a.m. by her mother, Rena Lynn Halpain, 27, police said.
Halpain fled when Allen tried to call police, authorities said. She has no visitation or custody rights and reportedly had planned to take the girl to Oregon or Hawaii, Long Beach police officer David Marander said.
Halpain was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. in San Diego, when she called Allen from a convenience store.
Halpain had been staying at Allen’s home for the past several days after she told him she was homeless. Police said Allen returned home from work Monday and found the mother and child missing.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
