HELENA – Two Helena residents have been charged with felonies following the safe recovery of two children police reported as missing and endangered last week.
Shala Hood, 31, and 44 year-old Lonny Kaufman appeared in Lewis and Clark County Justice Court on Monday.
Police issued a Missing and Endangered Person Advisory (MEPA) on Jan. 8 for Hood’s two children after a judge signed an order approving the children’s removal from the home by Child Protective Services.
According to court documents, detectives met with Kaufman in order to try and locate the children, but he denied knowing Hood’s or the children’s whereabouts.
On Saturday, police say they were tipped off that Hood and the children were at a Helena hotel.
When police arrived they found Hood in a room, and Kaufman and the children in a car.
Shala Hood is charged with custodial interference. Her bail is set at $10,000.
Kaufman is charged with obstructing justice. His bail is set at $25,000.
Related: Helena children from Missing/Endangered Persons Advisory found
