Ark Valley News - Mother, boyfriend arrested in Colorado

Mother, boyfriend arrested in Colorado
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: July 20, 2017

A mother and her boyfriend are in custody this week after Colorado authorities arrested them in connection with the possible abduction of a 5-year-old Valley Center girl.

Valley Center police said the department was notified July 15 that Kaylie Koerner, 22, and Stephen J. Rogers, 21, were arrested on warrants and were awaiting extradition to Kansas.

Sgt. Lloyd Newman said the two were wanted on charges of aggravated interference with parental custody.

Koerner and Rogers are accused of taking Gracie Burke from Valley Center to Colorado July 1 or 2 without the permission of the child's grandparents, who are her legal guardians. Koerner is the child's mother.

Police said Koerner had some visitation rights.

The girl was found unharmed in Colorado July 7, and relatives brought her back to Kansas.

Police said relatives in Colorado took custody of Koerner and Rogers' 6-month-old son at the time of their arrest.

It was unclear when the two would be returned to Kansas.