Dad glad to have Alabama toddler home — Mom in court on kidnapping charges

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (WKRG) — Orange Beach toddler Kionii Haugen has no idea the drama that has surrounded her in the last month. She is satisfied to have a play day at a local park in Orange Beach after spending almost two weeks alone in Mexico.

“She seems to be normal, like usual, like nothing ever happened, she just went on vacation,” said Bryce Haugen, who has no doubt he is the little girl’s Dad.

Last month, the child was at the center of an international kidnapping case. Her mother, Haley Harris, 23, was arrested on federal charges and brought back to the U.S. At the same time, Kionii was held as evidence by the Mexican government for almost two weeks before being returned to her family on Oct. 4.

“I think everybody was just so relieved to see her again, to hold her, it was amazing,” said Haugen.

According to court records, Harris arrived in Orange Beach on Sept. 21, packed up the child’s belongings, and 24 hours later, she, Kionii, and another child were in Mexico.

Investigators also learned that Harris’ live-in boyfriend had been deported from Washington state to Mexico over the summer after being arrested on multiple charges of child molestation.

“I don’t know what she thought or what pushed her to think any of it was okay,” said Haugen.

Harris was in federal court Wednesday afternoon for an initial appearance and preliminary hearing on international parental kidnapping charges. Her court-appointed attorney, Richard Shields, said that based on Alabama law, the charges may not hold up.

“The law in Alabama is that a mother is custodian of their child until paternity is established with the man, and there was no paternity, so she is the custodian, and the issue is did she violate any law by leaving the country with the child, and that is the issue the court is going to have to determine here,” said Shields.

All that seemed a million miles away from Orange Beach as Kionii enjoyed a day at the park. Haugen says his only focus now is on his daughter, making sure she is okay. “Just let her be herself if she wishes to bring it up,” he said, referring to her time in Mexico.

Haugen hasn’t spoken to Harris since she was brought back to the U.S. He says whatever the courts decide, he is okay with that.

Harris remains in federal custody. Her case is expected to be heard by a grand jury on Oct. 29.