Overview

• Trista Fullerton, a 36-year-old mother from Arkansas, was arrested in California with six of her eight children after a concerned citizen reported her 'bizarre behaviour' in a car park near a Mexican restaurant; the remaining two children were located at a nearby residence in Shasta County following information from Fullerton.
• Fullerton had allegedly abducted her children from their foster homes in Arkansas, having lost her custodial rights; she was wanted on a felony arrest warrant in relation to the children's disappearance.
• The children had been transported across states in a litter-filled Dodge pickup truck with Arkansas plates; Fullerton had driven them to California to evade authorities.
• There were protective custody warrants issued for all eight children, who were listed as abducted in records; they have now been released to Shasta County’s children and family services for reunification with their guardians in Arkansas.
• Previous to this incident, Fullerton had faced charges of domestic battery and was issued with a no-contact order with the children's father; she was reported to have served four years of probation after pleading guilty in July 2022.