Fugitive Kidnapper Surrenders After Pressure by U.S. Marshals and the Television Program "The Hunt"

Concord, NH – Late this morning, long time fugitive Genevieve Kelley, 50, surrendered to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, in Lancaster, NH. Genevieve Kelley was wanted by law enforcement since November, 2004 for Non-Custodial Kidnapping and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Kelley along with her then husband, Scott Kelley, 49, fled New Hampshire with her daughter Mary Nunes when she was just 8 years of age. Arrest warrants were issued for both Genevieve and Scott Kelley. At the time of the kidnapping Mary’s father had full custody of her, due to allegations of mistreatment by Genevieve Kelley. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals in this investigation on behalf of the Whitefield (NH) Police Department and the Coos County (NH) Sheriff’s Office. Since this request, the U.S. Marshals have devoted tireless hours trying to locate Mary Nunes and her kidnappers, Genevieve and Scott Kelley. These efforts spanned the United States, Canada, as well as Central and South America.

As of February, 2014, Mary Nunes turned eighteen years of age and both her father and investigators were still concerned everyday about Mary’s safety and her whereabouts. In a renewed effort to bring Mary home, the investigation was intensified with a large publicity push. In August, 2014, Genevieve Kelley was featured as the U.S. Marshals “Fugitive of the Week” here in New Hampshire. This local effort coincided with the nationally televised story of Mary Nunes and her kidnappers being aired on the CNN program hosted by John Walsh, “The Hunt” on August 31st.

U.S. Marshal David Cargill, Jr., says “I am happy that Genevieve Kelly is in custody and will face justice for these charges, but we will all be the happiest, when we know Mary Nunes is safe.” Cargill continued “I am thankful for the hard work of all the investigators and the media that provided the push needed to get Genevieve Kelley to surrender.”

Although, Genevieve Kelley has surrendered to authorities today, the location and well-being of Mary Nunes is still unknown. Kelley is currently in the custody of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and is scheduled for an initial court appearance this afternoon.

If you know the location of Mary Nunes or fugitive Scott Kelley, please contact the U.S. Marshals at (603) 225-1632, or call 1-877-WANTED-2, or submit a WEB-TIP, or TEXT the word NHTIP with any information to TIP411. The Deputy U.S. Marshal assigned to this investigation is Jamie Berry and he can be reached at (603) 225-1632.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,801 arrests (Updated as of 08/13/2014). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.