Mother arrested, accused of not returning child after visitation

A 41-year-old Jasonville woman was arrested on March 31 after allegedly failing to comply with a child custody agreement. 

Kayla Marie Copas

Kayla Copas was arrested by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James Carpenter following an incident regarding a child custody agreement. According to a probable cause affidavit written by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Michael Coy, a welfare check for the child was initiated by the father after consulting his attorney on March 14. 

According to the custody agreement between Copas and the child’s father, which was signed by both parties on June 20, 2022, they have joint legal custody; however, the child’s father has primary physical custody. Per the agreement, Copas has visitation the first three weekends of the month. Per the probable cause affidavit, the father told Deputy Coy the child was supposed to be returned to his custody on Sunday, March 12; however, he received a message from Copas stating she was sick. After missing school that week and unsuccessful attempts to reach Copas, he contacted his attorney. 

Deputy Coy went to Copas’s residence where she met him at a side entrance. According to the probable cause affidavit, she expressed “extreme concern” for the child saying she needed to protect her and not allow her to go back to her father’s. 

Copas was taken to Greene County Jail where she was booked into jail at 4:18 p.m. with bond set at $500 surety with 10% cash allowed. She posted $50 and was released later the same day. 

Copas is scheduled to appear for her initial hearing in Greene Superior Court on April 13 on a Class B Misdemeanor charge of interference with custody.