SHALIMAR — William Eddins, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, announced today that Virginia Lynch has entered a plea of no contest to the charges of kidnapping to interfere with a governmental function and interference with custody of a child.
Lynch faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment at the time of sentencing.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 3 before Circuit Judge Michael Flowers in Crestview.
According to a State Attorney's Office media release, the charges arose in 2014, after Lynch’s 3-year-old child had been removed from her custody. She was only allowed to have visitation while being supervised by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
During a supervised visitation in March, 2014, Lynch and co-defendant Karl Menz secretly removed the child without authorization and left Florida. Numerous law enforcement agencies conducted an extensive search for them. Approximately one month later, they were located in Henderson, Nevada.
The child had been transported across the country in the back of a windowless panel van. During that time, the various medications the child required were not provided.
Karl Menz's trial is scheduled March 14 before Circuit Judge Michael Flowers.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Crestview Police Department, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Assistant State Attorney Christine Bosau was responsible for the prosecution.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview kidnapping suspect enters plea, faces sentencing