6-year-old boy allegedly abducted in Clark County by mother recovered in Oregon

A woman was arrested early Tuesday morning in Eastern Oregon after allegedly taking her 6-year-old son from his father’s Minnehaha area home.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies were called at about 7:45 p.m. Monday to a residence in the 6400 block of Northeast 52nd Street after a man reported his son was taken by his noncustodial mother, April Brinkman, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

The sheriff’s office said New Mexico Child Protective Services removed the boy from Brinkman’s care about a week prior for reasons of neglect. Investigators said they believed Brinkman, 51, was taking the boy back to New Mexico via Interstate 84. She was last seen driving a gold 2013 Acura RDX.

The sheriff’s office worked with local and federal agencies and learned Brinkman and her car were seen at a gas station in Umatilla County, Ore. Oregon State Police found the vehicle shortly after 1 a.m., traveling east on I-84, the news release states.

Brinkman attempted to elude law enforcement, who did not pursue her for the safety of the child in the car. They then used tire deflation devices to stop the car, according to the sheriff’s office.

Oregon State Police arrested Brinkman in Malheur County, Ore., just west of the Idaho border. The boy was safely recovered and reunited with his father, the sheriff’s office said. Brinkman is facing charges of residential burglary, custodial interference and attempting to elude police.

“The Clark County Sheriff’s Office extends great thanks to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Abducted Minor Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert Program, Vancouver Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oregon State Police and Baker City Police Department for their extensive efforts in assisting with this investigation and the safe recovery of this child,” the agency said.