KAYFORD, W.Va. — Law enforcement authorities who had swarmed eastern Kanawha County looking for an Illinois man wanted in connection with the alleged abduction of his stepdaughter and her infant son got several tips that led to his arrest Saturday afternoon on Cabin Creek.
Christopher Derleth, 39, of Edwardsville, Illinois, along with Katherine Derleth, 13, and her three-week-old son, of Carpenter, Illinois, were found at a makeshift campsite in the Kayford area. Derleth was taken into custody, the young mother and her son were transported to a Charleston hospital. Authorities said they appeared okay.
U.S. Marshals, state police troopers and Kanawha County deputies moved into eastern Kanawha County Friday afternoon after Derleth used a debit card to make purchases at both the GoMart and Dollar General stores in Chelyan. Video surveillance taken from the store confirmed it was Derleth. He was wearing blue jeans and a forest-green colored shirt.
Derleth had the green minivan he was driving hidden in some heavy brush just off Cabin Creek Road. He’ll face extradition to Madison County, Illinois, where he’s charged with kidnapping and related charges. He was arraigned in Kanawha County Magistrate Court Saturday night.
Authorities were concerned about the health of the mother and baby. The mother, Katherine, was born with a heart defect and has a pacemaker. The equipment to monitor that was left behind when she was taken from Illinois last weekend.