A Pa‘auilo mother wanted in a custodial interference investigation and her six-year-old daughter were found safe in Cottonwood, Arizona.

On July 19, Hawai‘i Island police issued a media release regarding the disappearance of 48-year-old Sarah Coultas and her daughter Violet Coultas. After learning that the pair was believed to be in Arizona, an arrest warrant was issued for Sarah Coultas for violation of a court order and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to issue a Turquoise Alert

On Wednesday, the FBI contacted the Cottonwood Police Department with new information indicating the mother and daughter were in their jurisdiction. Cottonwood Police Department officers responded and located the mother and daughter in the early yesterday.

Violet was found safe and asleep and was cared for by police until the Arizona Department of Child Safety arrived to take custody. Sarah Coultas was taken into custody without incident.

Sarah Coultas is in custody pending extradition to Hawai‘i and further legal proceedings.