Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, a 53-year-old mother, has been arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of her 4-year-old daughter, Gracyn Andersen Drolet. The case involves a disturbing twist as Davidson-Drolet allegedly conspired with her sons and sister to hide Gracyn in a religious cult compound in Missouri.
The story unfolds with Davidson-Drolet embroiled in a divorce custody battle with her husband, Laurence Drolet. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, she used burner flip phones and deception to keep her whereabouts hidden from authorities. The US Attorney’s Office in the District of Utah recently revealed the details of this shocking case.
The abduction took place on January 18, 2023, when Gracyn was just 4 years old. A felony warrant for Parental Kidnapping was issued for Kimberly on December 20, 2023, sparking a nationwide search for the missing child. Davidson-Drolet’s sons, Jaxson Davidson, 30, and Dallas Davison, 23, along with her sister, Kristine Merrill, 53, were implicated in aiding her in the kidnapping.
According to court documents, Davidson-Drolet meticulously planned the abduction over a period of 14 months. She sold her vehicle for $13,000, deposited the money in her bank account, and then withdrew $16,000, transferring the remaining balance to her sister. On January 23, 2023, she packed her bags, loaded them into her son’s truck, and set off for Missouri with her daughter, leaving her cell phone behind in Utah.
Over a year later, Gracyn was discovered at a compound run by a religious cult leader named Paul Dean, who is associated with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Dean, a white Christian who founded two Native American churches in Missouri, has espoused controversial views, including his belief that bitcoin will protect against government interference.
Davidson-Drolet was apprehended on December 20 following an arrest warrant issued by authorities. She was observed with her daughter at the religious compound, indicating a familial connection to the cult leader. In addition to using burner phones to avoid detection, Davidson-Drolet allegedly sent letters to her other children through her sister, further complicating the investigation.
Gracyn Andersen Drolet’s identity was confirmed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, who have been working tirelessly to reunite her with her father, Laurence Drolet. Despite the ordeal, Laurence has expressed unwavering love and longing for his daughter, urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring Gracyn home.
The legal ramifications of the case have resulted in charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping against Davidson-Drolet, her adult sons, and her sister. The family’s involvement in the abduction has raised questions about the extent of their ties to the religious cult and the motivations behind their actions.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to piece together the events that led to Gracyn’s disappearance and her subsequent recovery. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit vulnerable children for their own agendas, highlighting the importance of vigilance and swift action in cases of abduction and exploitation.
In the midst of this harrowing ordeal, the resilience and determination of Laurence Drolet to reunite with his daughter stand as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. The search for answers continues, with the hope that justice will prevail and Gracyn will find solace and safety in the arms of her loving father.
