The mother of two missing Rexburg kids appeared in a Kauai court Friday to fight extradition and seek a reduction in bail.
EastIdahoNews.com reports Hawaii Judge Kathleen Watanabe confirmed Lori Vallow Daybell’s bail at $5 million and set her extradition hearing for March 2.
The court hearing follows Daybell’s arrest Thursday for two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children, and misdemeanor resisting and/or obstructing an officer, solicitation and contempt. After the hearing Friday, a Governor’s warrant must be issued to bring her back to Idaho.
During the hearing, Defense Attorney Daniel Hempey asked for Daybell’s bail to be drastically reduced to $10,000, on the basis that such a high bail doesn’t fit a couple of felony and misdemeanor charges. He also told the judge that Daybell lives on Kauai with her husband Chad Daybell, and has remained in the state since her attornies made contact with police in January. He addressed the couple’s recent weekend “vacation” to Maui saying defense attornies told police they would produce her to law enforcement when they wished to arrest her.
“Instead she was arrested and media was calling us all day,” Hempy said. “It seems like it was a made-for-media event at taxpayer expense.”
Kauai County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar argued Lori Vallow Daybell should be denied bail as child abandonment qualifies as a serious crime in Hawaii, and there is a risk Daybell might flee.
“We are asking that Ms. Vallow be remanded without bail,” Kollar said. “She has already absconded from the jurisdiction where the underlying crime is alleged to have taken place.”
Additionally, Kollar that Daybell is a risk to the public and had previously tried to obstruct justice.
“She has no ties to this island other than a rented condominium in Princeville,” Koller said. “She apparently has resources to travel and leave.”
Court documents on the arrest of Daybell indicate that Chad Daybell had obtained $430,000 from life insurance on policy his wife Tammy Daybell who died on Oct. 19, 2019. The death came just two weeks before Chad and Lori Daybell married on the beaches of Kauai in November.
“If ever there was a case suitable, and you know our office doesn’t request this on a regular basis, that a person be denied bail,” Koller said. “This is the case that is appropriate for that.”
Watanabe ultimately agreed with the bail on the original Idaho arrest warrant. Daybell is scheduled to appear in court again on March 2 in Lihue.
Written by: Eric Grossarth, EastIdahoNews.com
