Marshall County (trfnews.i234.me) A Marshall County man is facing a felony charge after a child was not returned to her mother, according to a criminal complaint.
Charge Filed In Marshall County
Court records say Dustin Jeffery Franks, 34, of Alvarado, was charged in Marshall County District Court.
The charge is depriving another of custodial or parental rights. The case is listed as a felony.
The complaint says the child was supposed to be returned to her mother on December 21, 2025.
Authorities were then asked to check on the child in Alvarado on December 22, 2025.
According to the complaint, the child was not returned at the scheduled time.
The filing also says no one answered at the residence during the check.
What The Complaint Says
The complaint says a landlord spoke with Franks on December 22, 2025.
The landlord said Franks told him he was not home in Alvarado.
Robert Flemming, the mother’s attorney, later provided an ex parte order dated December 22, 2025.
That order directed Franks to return the child right away.
It also suspended future parenting time until another court order was issued.
The order said law enforcement could take steps to complete a safe exchange.
Arrest And Child Returned
The complaint says Franks later responded to the court and admitted the exchange did not happen.
Records state investigators believed he kept the child during the Christmas period.
The filing also says phone records placed him in the Bemidji area.
As of December 23, 2025, Franks had been arrested.
The complaint says the child was then returned to her mother.
Case Status
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $4,000 fine, or both.
Criminal charges are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Readers can review Minnesota court information at the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
The law cited in the complaint can be found at Minnesota Statute 609.26.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.