Mum ‘faked deaths of herself and son, 7, before running away under pal’s name’
A mum is accused of faking the deaths of herself and and her seven-year-old son before running away to live under a friend's identity using false identification documents.
Dawn Marie Walker, from Saskatchewan, Canada, now faces federal charges of aggravated identity theft and possession of false identification documents after she was discovered across the US border in Oregon.
The 48-year-old allegedly led police to believe she and her son had been swallowed up by a river while fishing near Saskatoon, with a passer-by having found a purse, a broken fishing pole lodged in the water and a blanket on July 23.
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Cops launched an investigation into her disappearance after her truck was found nearby, offering a $10,000 reward for information.
However, despite making it across the US border, Walker's drastic plan was busted after police found she had been using a friend's identity to access her bank accounts.
She was discovered at an Airbnb in Oregon City that had been booked under the same friend's name after her blue Chevrolet Equinox was found there, Oregon Live reports.
Walker was arrested on Friday (August 5).
The reason behind the apparent getaway was revealed when she allegedly told cops: "He doesn't want to be with his father."
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Her car was searched following the arrest and police discovered notes showing how she planned to pull off the scheme, with notes saying she would "dye her hair" and "cover tattoo" in a bid to evade being recognised.
She had also listed a negative Covid test, a fishing rod, a dead phone, and a "vehicle/bike" among items she would need to pull off the mission, while another list listed the stages of the plan, including "park car (black wig)", "ditch phone in water," "ditch vehicle by bridge" and "find nearest border".
During the raid on the car police also found a mobile, Canadian currency, Visa and bank cards, one in her friend's name, an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Certificate of Indian Status card, and a Saskatchewan driver's license.
Walker's son was taken care of by police, and his dad was given the great news that his son was alive.
Walker was charged with aggravated identity theft and possession of false documents of identification and held in Multnomah County Detention Centre in Portland, Oregon.
She appeared in court in Portland on Monday afternoon (August 8), where prosecutors said she should remain in custody pending extradition.
It is also expected that authorities will push for a charge of parental abduction and public mischief by misleading police.
Assistant US Attorney Scott Kerin said: "The elaborate scheme she engaged in was designed for one purpose – to avoid the law and not be found.
"This was not a spur-of-the-moment event. The defendant put time and a lot of effort into planning her crime."
She will appear in court again this afternoon (August 10) where it is understood she will plead to get bail.
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