Full Notification

31-year-old Faith Merritt of Summerland failed to provide her three-year-old son, Maxwell Dinardo, to the biological father during a court ordered custody exchange. The father has not had contact with Merritt since the approximate date of 7/29/15. Merritt is associated with a blue/gray 2005 Honda Odyssey with CA plates (5NTP596). Prior to h...er disappearance, Merritt stated she planned to move to Oregon and live on a commune. The investigation has revealed that she may be in the Mount Shasta area, but also traveling to the Santa Cruz area. As of 8/17/15, a Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge has ordered Maxwell Dinardo to be returned to the custody of his father. The District Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges against Merritt who is being charged with a violation of Penal Code section 278.5, withholding a child from a parent and Penal Code section 166(a)(4), a violation of a court order. If you have any information regarding the location of Faith Merritt or Maxwell Dinardo, Please contact DA Investigator Rose (805)568-2360 or the Santa Barbara County District Attorney Child Abduction Unit at (805)568-2400.