POWELLTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Fayette County investigation involving a father, his former partner’s mother, and two children has led to felony charges alleging the children were removed from their custodial parent and concealed in violation of a court-ordered custody agreement.
According to court documents, the investigation began on April 21, 2026, after the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) from the West Virginia Fusion Center. The report indicated that Charles Edward Potter had allegedly left the Powellton area with two minor children and several animals and was believed to be traveling toward Michigan.
Sheriff Jess McMullen requested that deputies determine whether Potter, who had recently been charged with indecent exposure in Fayette County, was legally permitted to have contact with children.
Investigators contacted Child Protective Services and learned Potter had custody of two children identified in court documents as WP and AR. Officials determined there was no court order prohibiting Potter from being around children and no active CPS order removing the children from his custody.
However, as the investigation unfolded, authorities uncovered a complex custody dispute involving multiple states, allegations of parental interference, and claims that the children’s whereabouts had been intentionally concealed.
Mother Reports Children Missing
Deputies spoke with the biological mother of both children. She told investigators she shared joint legal custody of the children with Potter but had not been able to see or speak with them for weeks.
According to her, Potter brought the children to her residence in Indiana on January 30, 2026, and left with them on February 1 for what she believed would be a brief visit to West Virginia to see her mother, Kristine Leonard, who lives on Elkridge Road in Powellton.
She said Potter told her the trip would only last a few days before he returned to Indiana and eventually Michigan. Instead, the children remained in West Virginia for months.
She told investigators she later learned Potter had allegedly begun a romantic relationship with her mother, Kristine Leonard, while staying at the residence.
According to the children’s mom, she became concerned in February when it became apparent Potter and the children were not returning. She alleged that Leonard informed her they would not be coming back and that both Potter and Leonard eventually blocked her from contacting them.
She told investigators she last physically saw her children on February 1 and last spoke with them by phone on March 27.
Custody Order Required Children to Remain in Michigan
Investigators obtained copies of a Michigan family court order involving Potter and Rudolph.
According to the order, Potter and Rudolph shared joint legal custody of the children, while Potter maintained primary physical custody.
The order also specifically stated that the children’s residence or domicile could not be moved from the State of Michigan without prior approval from the court.
Additionally, Rudolph was granted monthly parenting time and visitation rights.
Authorities noted that one of the children, AR, is not Potter’s biological child.
CPS Investigation Revealed Additional Concerns
Child Protective Services Worker Amy Rife told investigators that CPS had become involved after receiving concerns about the children.
According to Rife, the children were not enrolled in school after arriving in West Virginia. CPS later helped enroll one child at Valley Pre K-8 in Smithers.
Rife also stated that Potter initially refused to allow CPS workers to speak with the children and resisted efforts to allow officials inside the residence.
Although law enforcement later determined the home conditions were suitable, CPS continued monitoring the situation because of ongoing custody concerns.
Authorities said CPS was prepared to seek custody intervention but ultimately lacked legal authority to remove the children at that time.
Family Conflict Intensified
Investigators learned the situation was further complicated by ongoing family disputes involving Kristine Leonard and her husband, Robert Leonard.
According to statements included in court records, Rudolph alleged that her mother filed a domestic violence protective order against Robert Leonard using false allegations in an effort to remove him from the residence.
Rudolph also claimed she traveled to West Virginia on March 31 hoping to see her children if CPS intervened, but she was unable to visit them before returning home.
She further alleged that Potter repeatedly refused to honor the parenting schedule established by the Michigan court order and threatened she would never regain custody of the children.
Family Leaves Fayette County
On April 21, investigators received information that Potter, Leonard, the two children, another adult identified as Mike Behl, and several animals had packed their belongings and left the Powellton residence.
A video provided to investigators allegedly showed a silver SUV loaded with luggage departing the property.
Authorities said the group’s destination remains unknown.
According to investigators, neither Rudolph nor authorities have been able to determine the current whereabouts of the children, and Rudolph remains unable to contact them.
Warrants Requested
Based on the investigation, authorities allege Potter and Leonard knowingly concealed the children from a parent who was legally entitled to visitation and violated the terms of the custody agreement.
Investigators have requested arrest warrants charging Charles Edward Potter and Kristine Maria Leonard with two counts each of concealment or removal of a minor child from a custodian or person entitled to visitation, as well as conspiracy to commit a felony.
The investigation remains ongoing.
