PORT ANGELES — Bail has been set at $10,000 each for Paul Brawner, 27, and Robin Sather, 30, parents who allegedly forcibly abducted their 1- and 4-year-old children from protective custody Friday.
The couple were arrested a short time after the alleged abduction by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Ken Oien said in a statement.
The children were retrieved unharmed, Oien said.
Bail set Monday
Superior Court Judge Pro-tem William Knebes set the bail for Brawner and Sather on Monday.
They were charged with first-degree custodial interference, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Brawner and Sather will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday in Superior Court.
State Child Protective Services had placed the children in the custody of a relative in the Palo Alto Road area of Sequim “due to risk of imminent harm” if the children had stayed in the custody of their parents, who are transient and living in their car, Oien said.
“The abduction occurred as a result of an argument Paul and Robin had with the children’s guardian about the use of illegal drugs,” he said.
Shortly after Brawner and Sather allegedly abducted the children, their vehicle was recognized by Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Knutson in the Carlsborg area.
He stopped and arrested the couple.
Others agencies that assisted in the arrest included the Sequim Police Department, the State Patrol, Child Protective Services and the U.S. Border Patrol.