Elaborate Plot to Abduct Child Amidst Divorce
A Utah woman, Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, is accused of kidnapping her four-year-old daughter and evading authorities for 18 months, with help from her adult sons. The alleged abduction took place during a contentious divorce from her estranged husband, Laurence Drolet, according to a federal indictment. Davidson-Drolet is said to have meticulously planned the kidnapping over 14 months.
Executing the plan: From Utah to Missouri
Davidson-Drolet allegedly sold her vehicle in Utah on January 10, 2023, for $13,000, which she deposited into her bank account. Over the next few days, she withdrew $16,000 and transferred the remaining balance to her sister, Kristine Merrill. On January 23, 2023, she reportedly packed their belongings into duffle bags and, with the help of her 30-year-old son, Jaxson Davidson, drove to Missouri.
To avoid detection, Davidson-Drolet left her personal cellphone at home and purchased a burner phone, according to court documents. Merrill is also accused of destroying Davidson-Drolet’s personal phone, which was handed over to her 23-year-old son, Dallas Davidson.
Attorney defends son, declares presumption of innocence
Jaxson Davidson’s attorney, Craig Johnson, emphasized his client’s presumption of innocence, stating: “The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, according to his constitutional rights.” He declined to comment further on the ongoing case.
Authorities claim that Jaxson admitted to discussing the plan to take the child out of state, with Merrill present and assisting in Davidson-Drolet’s departure.
Discovery of child in a religious cult compound
Over a year later, authorities discovered the now five-year-old girl at a compound run by religious cult leader Paul Dean, founder of a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS)-type cult. The complaint against Davidson-Drolet highlights that Dean, who identifies as a Christian and has founded two “Native American” churches in Missouri, is not charged in the kidnapping case.
Concealment tactics and plans to flee
Davidson-Drolet allegedly used burner phones and mailed letters back home to her other children through her sister, using the US Postal Service. In these letters, she claimed she felt safe in Missouri because “they don’t participate in extradition” and hinted at plans to flee to Thailand with Dean, as stated in the indictment.
“Kimberly Davidson-Drolet and other co-conspirators went to great lengths to utilize pre-paid cellular phones that were rotated regularly to prevent law enforcement interception,” the complaint reads.
Charges filed against family members
Davidson-Drolet, her sons Jaxson and Dallas Davidson, and Merrill have all been charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, marking a significant development in this complex case.
