NORTH YARMOUTH — A woman who allegedly took her 18-month-old granddaughter without the mother’s permission was found in Stoneham, Mass., with the child, who was unharmed, and will not immediately face charges, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

Melanie Wever, 48, of North Yarmouth, reportedly left Maine with the child after being contacted by the sheriff’s office and told to return the child to the biological mother, who had flown to Maine from Indiana.

The sheriff’s office released a statement Thursday that it was considering pursuing kidnapping charges against Wever.

At about 7:45 p.m. Thursday, detectives spoke on the phone to the child’s biological father, James Richards, who told them he had flown to Boston and was currently with his daughter and Wever.

Massachusetts State Police met with Richards and Wever, who were taken to police barracks in Medford, Mass. for questioning.

The sheriff’s office said the Cumberland County district attorney’s office decided not to charge Wever with a crime at this time, but will review the case to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

The child was released to the custody of her father, the press release said.

Will Graff can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or wgraff@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @W_C_Graff.


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