Mother Accused of Abducting Her Eight Children from Arkansas Foster Homes Arrested in California

Trista Fullerton, who reportedly lost custody rights due to previous domestic battery charges, tipped off by citizen over "bizarre behavior," found with six children in California car park; remaining two children located at nearby residence. Fullerton is now held without bail, as the children are set to be reunited with their guardians in Arkansas.

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.