Tag: Deschutes County Court

Lost & Found: Family of Bradley Speaks Out

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May 14, 2018

Bail Set for Father of Lost Toddler and Grandmother Hopes to Bring Bradley Home

In Deschutes County Court on Monday, a judge set a $25,000 bail for Brandon Blouin for his alleged involvement in the disappearance and frantic search for him son – one-year-old Bradley Michael Thomas last Thursday. Blouin is charged for allegedly violating a custody order for Bradley to remain with his grandmother in West Virginia, and charges of Assault and Criminal Mistreatment. The judge also ordered Blouin to stay away from Bradley’s mother, 18-year-old Katelin Thomas. That is on top of the restraining order from West Virginia ordering the 25-year-old to stay away from Bradley and his maternal grandmother, Mellisa Jordan. Blouin will be back in court on May 21.

Also on Monday, Mellisa Jordan sat down with Central Oregon Daily’s Anyssa Bohanan for an exclusive interview that shares how little Bradley ended up in the woods in Bend, Oregon. Jordan said she and her other daughter have been searching for Bradley and his mother since they disappeared from their home in West Virginia three months ago. Jordan alleged that Blouin abused both Katelin and Bradley. Jordan said she hopes to be reunited with her grandson and eventually, take him and her daughter home to West Virginia.

First Court Appearance for Woman Accused of Killing Cyclist

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January 16, 2018

The woman who allegedly struck and killed a cyclist is now on house arrest and banned from consuming any alcohol until her arraignment in February.

Shantel Lynn Witt, 41, of Alfalfa had her first hearing today after she was arrested on Dec. 30 and charged with DUII, three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another, Reckless Driving and Manslaughter in the First Degree.

Witt was allegedly driving under the influence on the evening of Dec. 30 when her car crossed over into the opposite lane and struck 38-year-old Marika Stone who was biking with two other people near the corner of Dodds and Obernolte Road in Deschutes County. Stone was declared dead at the scene.

Roughly 30 local cyclists and community members attended today’s hearing to support Stone’s family.

Witt’s bail was set at $270,000. She posted 10 percent of this amount and, per Oregon law, was released from jail. During her first court appearance on Tuesday, the state attorney asked that Witt’s bail be increased, that she be put on house arrest, that she be given an alcohol monitor and that her driving privileges be revoked.

The judge did not raise Witt’s bail but he did agree to revoke Witt’s driving privileges. The judge also ordered Witt to wear an alcohol monitor, banned from purchasing or consuming alcohol and put on house arrest.

Witt will be back in court for her arraignment on Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. and many of the local cyclists said they’ll be back again to support Stone’s family and represent Bend’s biking community.