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An Oklahoma pair found themselves in legal trouble this week after being apprehended in Nevada, where they had escaped following the initiation of a child sexual abuse investigation in their home state.
Nathan Potier, 36, faces charges of sexually assaulting a minor in Oklahoma County, while his 36-year-old partner is accused of facilitating child sexual abuse, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Oklahoma court records reveal that Potier and his girlfriend, identified as Erica Ramirez, allegedly exploited a 14-year-old girl as a surrogate, as reported by KFOR. The inquiry began in December when Child Protective Services alerted Oklahoma City authorities that the young girl was pregnant with twins.
According to police, Ramirez confessed her desire for children with her boyfriend but cited an inability to conceive due to having her tubes tied. Before authorities could execute a DNA warrant for Potier, the couple fled the state.
With warrants issued for their arrest, a manhunt ensued. Court documents also indicate that previous allegations of Potier’s sexual abuse of the same girl had surfaced in California, with Palmer reportedly being aware of them.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said that a joint investigation with multiple agencies recived tips that Potier and Palmer may have been hiding in the Reno/Sparks area and located them in Sparks. They were booked into the Washoe County jail on fugitive warrants and are awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.
Investigators did not say how the teen was connected with Palmer and Potier but said she had been placed in foster care.