Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, Kidnapping, Utah 2023

A shocking case of parental abduction has come to light in Utah, where a mother and her accomplices are accused of kidnapping a child to live at a religious compound in Missouri.

Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, Utah, had a warrant issued for her arrest on December 20, 2023, after she allegedly kidnapped her non-custodial child from Utah to Springfield, Missouri, in January 2023 through June 2024.

According to the complaint, Drolet used the United States Postal Service, cellular and other electronic devices, including a burner flip phone, to conceal her and the child’s whereabouts. Additionally, Drolet went through great lengths to avoid apprehension and formed an elaborate plan to take the child out of Utah with help from Jaxson Davidson, 30, of Washington, Utah; Dallas Davidson, 23, of Washington, Utah; and Kristine Merrill, 53, of Murray, Utah.

As alleged, Drolet and J. Davidson left the state of Utah, and drove to Missouri, and Merrill assisted in their departure. After fleeing the state and ignoring the order of the court regarding custody of the child, Drolet remained at large for over a year, and hid the child away from her custodial father and law enforcement. According to the indictment, Drolet planned the kidnapping for 14 months. Throughout the kidnapping, Merrill, J. Davidson, and D. Davidson continued to hide Drolet and the child’s location from law enforcement.

Prior to Drolet’s arrest, she was observed with the child who was located at a religious compound led by a religious cult leader, who is also related to Drolet.

Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Merrill are charged with kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Merrill's initial appearance on the indictment was scheduled for August 13, 2024, at 1:45 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Jaxson Davidson, and Dallas Davidson's initial appearance on the indictment was scheduled in Salt Lake City for August 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4. Drolet has yet to be scheduled.

The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST), and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Murray City Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

UPDATE: Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Kristine Merrill, in this case was dismissed on December 9, 2024.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/non-custodial-mother-arrested-and-accused-taking-utah-child-live-religious-compound