Hot Springs woman pleads not guilty to kidnapping

HOT SPRINGS – Jamie Finley, a Hot Springs resident, pled not guilty to a felony charge of kidnapping.

According to the court affidavit, Polson Police reports state that on May 18, the 34 year-old allegedly kidnapped two-year-old Lillianah Bigcrane. Bigcrane is the daughter of Evelyn Franks, Finley’s sister.

Documents state Finley had reportedly confronted Franks about her decision to move with Lillianah to Butte, to reunite with an old boyfriend.

According to the affidavit, at one point in the argument, Finley picked up Lillianah and took her out to her 2004 Dodge Durango. Franks followed and was reportedly punched by Finley and forcibly pushed out of the vehicle.

An Amber Alert was issued to notify the public of Bigcrane’s abduction. However, the following morning police located Finley and Bigcrane at Finley’s Hot Springs residence.

Finley is facing felony kidnapping charges. Following the arrest, one of the conditions of Finley’s release was that she have no contact with Franks or Bigcrane.

Finley pled not guilty to her felony charge of kidnapping in Lake County and her omnibus hearing is scheduled for July 17. The jury trial is set to start on September 16.