Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Laporte woman is facing criminal charges in Beltrami County after an alleged custody order violation involving a young child.
Jessica Marie Michaud, 43, has been charged in Beltrami County District Court with felony deprivation of parental rights. She is also charged with gross misdemeanor child endangerment.
The case was filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-484.
Charges Filed In Beltrami County
According to the criminal complaint, Michaud is accused of failing to return a minor child between February 11 and February 18, 2026.
Prosecutors allege that the action violated an existing court order. They also allege it was meant to deprive the other parent of custody or parenting time.
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. It also carries a possible $4,000 fine.
The gross misdemeanor child endangerment charge carries up to 364 days in jail. It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.
More information about Minnesota’s custody interference law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Court Order Cited In Complaint
The complaint states that a Leech Lake Tribal Court order was issued on April 9, 2025.
That order involved Michaud and the child’s other parent. It laid out weekly parenting time and custody rules.
Under the order, the child was to live with the other parent during the week. Michaud was allowed weekday parenting time after school or a summer program.
The complaint says the child was supposed to be picked up from Michaud’s home on weekdays.
Allegations from the February Incident
Authorities say the other parent contacted police on February 18, 2026.
The complaint says he reported receiving videos involving Michaud and the child.
According to the complaint, the videos showed Michaud yelling while the child cried. The child was allegedly asking to stay with the other parent.
The complaint also claims Michaud made unclear statements during one video.
Police later spoke with Michaud by phone, according to the complaint.
She allegedly said she was with the child at a residence in Cass Lake. She also allegedly said she would not return the child.
Michaud allegedly said she wanted the custody matter reviewed again in court.
The child endangerment charge is tied to claims that the situation could harm the child’s emotional health. More information on that statute is available from the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Michaud is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.