Mom accused of taking girls in ’83 is arrested
A woman accused of abducting her two daughters and hiding them from their father for 24 years has been arrested in Tennessee, authorities said Tuesday.
Patricia Toomey, 57, formerly of Laguna Beach, was arrested Friday at her mother’s home in Spring City. It was her second arrest since 2003, when she was held in connection with the same case in Virginia and disappeared after posting bail.
Toomey is accused of absconding in 1983 with her 10-year-old and 3-year-old. Their father, Dale Hirsch, now 57, was living in Alaska at the time but had visitation rights in California.
Toomey is being held without bail in Rhea County Jail pending an arraignment Friday.
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.
