Authorities mull punishment for parents who fled with child

This past Thursday, the Missoula Police Department received information regarding the AMBER alert out of the state of North Carolina for 8-month-old John Eastlack.

Chad Eastlack (left) and Penny Eastlack were arrested in Montana.

An infant has been found safe in Missoula after being taken from North Carolina. The young boy was placed in custody with child protective services and arrangements are being made for his return to North Carolina.

Eastlack, 35, was also wanted on charges of stealing the minivan and a firearm.

Montana police were checking hotels for the stolen vehicle described in the amber alert.

Eastlack and the woman were all taken to the police station without incident. John Eastlack was a ward of the State of North Carolina at the time of his abduction.

The boy had been in the custody of social services, although it was unclear why. In November of 2015, deputies raided his home on Peace Road.

Eastlack has subsequently been charged with felony larceny of motor vehicle, felony larceny of firearm, felony possession of stolen firearms, felony possession of stolen motor vehicle and two misdemeanors for larceny and possession of stolen goods.

The child was located with his father, Chad Douglas Eastlack, and mother, Penny Dianne Worthy, at a hotel, after authorities spotted the Chrysler Town & Country minivan allegedly stolen out of Randolph by his father.

We do not yet know why Eastlack fled to Montana. The bail bondsman said he tried calling Eastlack’s cell phone but he isn’t answering.

Randolph County Sheriff Robert Graves didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking further comment.