On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at approximately 2:50 a.m., deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office received a walk-in report of a missing child at the Ketchum Police station.
Kristen Zalak, age 38 of Rockmart, Georgia, and a companion, Harold Lamont Thomas, age 52 of Ogden, Utah, reported that when they returned to their campground located in Custer County, they found Zalak’s eleven-year-old son and his service dog were missing.
Upon investigation, deputies discovered that the rental car the reporting parties had driven to the police station in, a red 2020 Toyota Corolla, had been reported stolen from Reno, Nevada. Further investigation revealed the existence of illegal substances in the vehicle.
Kristen Zalak was arrested and charged with felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, I.C. 49-228, and felony Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, I.C. 37-2732(C)1. Harold Lamont Thomas was arrested and charged with felony Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, I.C. 37-2732(C)1.
Zalak and Thomas are being held in the Blaine County Detention Center pending arraignment in Blaine County Magistrate Court on Thursday, September 10, 2020.
The missing child has been located and is safe.
Sheriff Steve Harkins
Posted: 3:30 p.m. on September 9, 2020
CONTACT: Holly Carter – Blaine County Sheriff’s Office (208) 788-5536 End.###