Four siblings were found safe on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, after Washington State Patrol officers located the family traveling in an RV near Cheney, Washington. A statewide Amber Alert had been issued for the children—ages 7, 9, 13, and 16—when their parents did not turn them over to Child Protective Services (CPS) after a King County Superior Judge ordered them to do so.

Amber Alert

The Amber Alert had law enforcement monitoring the I-90 corridor on Tuesday for a 1992 tan RV that the family had taken off in from their West Seattle home. After the family was located, the children were taken into CPS custody and the parents, Nicholas Antoine and Crystal Antoine, were taken into custody and then released shortly afterward.

Nicholas told a television news reporter after his release that he had no idea a judge had ordered the children to be taken from him and that he was just trying to take the children on a road trip to see family and eventually go to Disneyworld in Florida.

“I know that once things get sorted out, there is no way my kids will be taken away from me, they love me, they love their mother,” said Antoine. “We're a good family, we've just had a lot of problems.”

When the Amber Alert was issued for the children, the police considered them to be in imminent danger. According to the Amber Alert, one of the children suffers from schizoaffective disorder and police said that Antoine may have been withholding the child's medication. The Amber Alert also stated that there were “significant” domestic violence incidents between Nicholas and Crystal. Seattle police detectives said that Crystal Antoine has mental and substance abuse issues. Nicholas is also said to have allegedly threatened harm to social workers involved in the case.

Violation of Protective Order

A day after the Amber Alert and locating the family, Nicholas Antoine was arrested once again near North Bend. Washington State Patrol said that early Wednesday a warrant was issued for Nicholas after he allegedly threatened to harm someone who had a protection order against him, but that person has not been identified. When he was arrested, Nicholas was alone as he had dropped off Crystal in Moses Lake.

Under Washington RCW 26.50.110, violating a protective order is usually considered a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail, a maximum fine of $5,000, or both.

Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Most families go through difficult periods, but sometimes the challenges they face will lead to law enforcement and the courts to get involved. If you have been accused of domestic violence, violating a protective order, or taking your children unlawfully, you have the right to defend yourself with the help of an experienced and seasoned attorney. Call the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today at 206-621-8777 or fill out an online contact form to get started on a free consultation of your case.