Wolf Point Abductee Located, Suspect in Custody

As has been widely reported, Wolf Point’s Maci Lilley was found late Sunday morning by Roosevelt County Undersheriff Corey Reum. The 4-year old girl was kidnapped from a playground near her home on Friday night, prompting a statewide Amber Alert and coordinated search efforts involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. According to Roosevelt County Sheriff Jason Fredrick, “Countless civilian volunteers” also contributed to the search.

According to the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, Lilley was found at approximately 11:20 a.m. a few miles outside Wolf Point and appears to be in good health. Within hours, she was flown to Billings for further evaluation.

Lilley has been living with grandmother Valerie Comes Last near the playground where she was abducted since November when the family’s previous home was destroyed in a fire.

The FBI has taken over the investigation and a suspect, 20-year-old John “Billy” Lieba, is currently in custody. According to The Fort Peck Journal's Louis Montclair, Lieba appeared in Fort Peck Tribal Court on Tuesday morning and was charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault of a minor, and attempted murder. Tribal judge Marvin Youpee denied the defendant's bond and the accused remains in custody.a

A GoFundMe account has also been established to help Lilley’s family with expenses during their stay in Billings. To donate, visit gofundme.com/4jrqrnj8.