JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OR — On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the Oregon State Police (OSP) received information from the Grants Pass Police Department of a custodial interference investigation which originated out of the Woodstock Police Department in Cherokee County, Georgia.
OSP obtained additional information that the mother, Haley Noel Nelson (32), had illegally taken her two young children under the age of five (5), from Georgia, and fled to Josephine County.
Haley Noel Nelson had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Cherokee County with two charges:
- Interference with Custody (Misdemeanor)
- Interstate Interference with Custody (Felony)
At approximately 1:30 p.m., Rouge Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) personnel observed Nelson with an adult male, Carlos Figueroa (28), and both children in downtown Cave Junction. RADE took Nelson into custody on her arrest warrant and detained Figueroa, without incident.
During a subsequent search of the associated vehicle, a firearm was in located in plain view. Carlos Figueroa, who is a convicted felon, was arrested for:
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm (ORS 166.270)
Both Nelson and Figueroa were transported to the Josephine County Jail where they were lodged.
Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Grants Pass-Child Welfare responded to assist with the children, who were unharmed. RADE was also assisted by the OSP Central Point Area Command-Major Crimes Section and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Medford Office Task Force. RADE is comprised of the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, the Grants Police Department, the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Community Corrections.
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