Police submit charges in case of missing Mesa woman, child

PHOENIX — A Mesa woman and her baby have been missing since June and police believe the woman’s parents may have helped them get away in a possible custodial interference case.

Police have submitted charges to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, alleging conspiracy to commit interference by Roland Jones and his wife Cassandra.

Their 19-year-old daughter Madeline Jones and 1-year-old grandson William Jones-Gouchenour were reported missing in June by Roland.

According to court documents, Roland reported his daughter and grandson missing on June 16 in the area of Mesa Drive and Baseline Road in Mesa.

Police said the area where Roland reported the missing teenager is near Madeline’s divorce attorney. Police also noted that the sound of a baby fussing could be heard in the background of the call.

The parents told police that their daughter was going to retain an appellate attorney after she was granted joint custody of her son with her ex-husband, Jacob Gouchenour, when she went missing. Before she went missing, police documents detailed the girl’s efforts to dye her hair and withdrawing large amounts of cash.

Police said Cassandra “provided misinformation to purposefully mislead police when reporting Madeline and William missing, making bank withdrawals and providing cash to Madeline to assist in a ‘vacation,’ was present while Madeline changed her and William’s appearance,” court documents said.

Gouchenour is pleading for his son’s safe return and police said Madeline could face custodial interference charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow @KTAR923