Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark
Release Date: November 2, 2020
Release Time: 11:50 AM

Update (4) Arrests in Missing Juvenile Investigation (West Point, CA)
On October 22, 2020, The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office received a report that fourteen year old Kaylee was missing after visiting a friend’s residence in West Point. Initial information obtained by deputies indicated that Kaylee was originally given permission to spend a few nights at a friend’s house. However, when her mother went to retrieve her, occupants at the residence told her that Kaylee had left prior to her arrival. Kaylee’s parents immediately notified the Sheriff’s Office and listed her as missing person. At that time Deputies conducted an investigation which included interviews, the search of a residence, and searching in the area of her disappearance. Occupants at the residence told deputies that Kaylee had left and was last observed walking down the driveway. The next day the investigation was transferred to the Detective Division for continued follow-up.
Detectives immediately began a missing person’s investigation. The investigation included contacting Kaylee’s friends, known associates, scouring social media, searching areas around her last known location, neighborhood canvassing, and obtaining search warrants to retrieve information from her cellular telephone. Since October 22, there was little evidence to indicate Kaylee’s whereabouts. The investigation included continued interviews of everyone who may have been in the company of Kaylee prior to her disappearance. A male was identified as potentially being in the company of Kaylee prior to her disappearance was subsequently contacted and interviewed and evidence was lacking that would indicate his involvement in her disappearance.
After more than one week of continued investigation, Kaylee was still missing. However, Detectives obtained new information and were able to acquire a search warrant from the Calaveras County Superior Court to search the residence where Kaylee was last observed. This residence had previously been searched by the initial Patrol Deputies and by Detectives during the ongoing investigation. The collaborative investigative effort leading to this point had consumed the efforts of the entire Investigations unit with the investigation enduring throughout the day and night.
Upon arrival, detectives were met by the occupants of the residence in the front yard. The occupants insisted that Kaylee was not present and that all information had already been given to law enforcement. While searching the interior of the residence for evidence, Detectives located Kaylee deep within the corners of two adjoining closets as she was intentionally hiding amongst densely hanging clothes. Kaylee was removed from the closet and found to be unharmed.
As Deputies continued to search the residence for evidence, they located a hidden “trapdoor” that led to a makeshift sleeping area located on the dirt floor under the house. Inside the sleeping area, detectives located bedding and a phone belonging to Kaylee.
Subsequently, suspect Isaiah Haggard, age 20 of West Point, and suspect Annie Pearl Abernathy, age 41 of West Point, were placed under arrest on charges including numerous counts of Providing False Information to a Peace Officer, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and for Felony Child Endangerment. A third person, Suspect Jose Tinocopureco, age 34 of West Point, was arrested for Providing False Information to a Peace Officer and for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. All suspects were transported and booked into the Calaveras County Jail. Haggard and Abernathy are being held with a $100,000.00 bail each. Tinocopureco was booked and released with a citation for the misdemeanor charges. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
For those following the case, suspect Haggard was originally questioned regarding Kaylee’s whereabouts. Due to Haggard’s deliberate distortion of the facts and fabrication of his involvement in Kaylee’s disappearance, in addition to false statements by his co-conspirators; he was not originally listed as a suspect. Detectives were eventually able to disprove his original statements as an intentional misrepresentation of the facts.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone who helped locate Kaylee. The investigation was assisted greatly by a partnership with members of the community. As a law enforcement agency, we feel very fortunate to have such a strong working relationship with so many citizens. We are extremely thankful that Kaylee was returned to her parents and hope the best for her in the future.
The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.