Jury finds woman guilty of parental kidnapping

May 21, 2026

Churchill

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

LUDINGTON — A jury found a 38-year-old woman guilty of kidnapping—custodial interference, more commonly known as parental kidnapping, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Thursday, May 21.

Amy Lynn Churchill failed to return her 4-year-old son to his father, who is the custodial parent, on Christmas morning in 2023, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.

The trial began Wednesday, May 20, and closing arguments were heard Thursday morning. “After approximately one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty as charged,” said Prosecutor Hand.

“The defendant and her ex-husband had in place a court-ordered parenting time schedule. On Christmas morning 2023, the defendant under the court’s order was required to return the then 4-year-old child to his father at 10 a.m. The defendant failed to arrive at the meet spot to turn over the child to the father who was the custodial parent. The defendant eventually returned the child back to his father on the evening of Dec. 28, with an officer present at the exchange,” said Hand.

“The court issues parenting time and custody orders after reviewing the facts and circumstances of each case. The orders are to be followed absent evidence that the return of the child would result in immediate mental or physical harm or abuse or neglect. The burden to demonstrate that the parent who did not return to the child was entitled this defense is on the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence.

“First, the defendant must prove that the child was in actual danger of physical or mental harm, abuse, or neglect.
Second, the defendant must prove that the danger of physical or mental harm, abuse, or neglect to the child was immediate. That is, if the defendant failed to act, the child would have been physically or mentally harmed or would have suffered abuse or neglect very soon. Third, the defendant must prove that her actions were reasonably intended to prevent the danger of physical or mental harm, abuse, or neglect to the child. Here, the defendant chose not to present this defense. 

“To date, the father still has full custody of the child, and the jury was made aware of that fact.”

Sentencing has been set for July 14.

Churchill faces two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police in a separate criminal file. “Those will be going to trial unless she opts to plead,” said Hand. “I had offered a global resolution on these matters which the defendant chose to reject.”

The maximum penalty for parental kidnapping in Michigan is one year and one day in prison.

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