A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 32-year-old Melissa Epperley for the alleged kidnapping of her 3-year-old son, Anthony Tummarello, Jr. (Contributed Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Big Bear Lake, CA - Deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to a call for service — in the 400 block of San Bernardino Avenue in Sugarloaf in January (2014) — regarding child concealment. The reporting party — Anthony Tummarello — indicated that he had not seen his son in 11 months and that the child’s mother, Melissa Epperley, 32, was purposely not allowing him to see their 3-year-old (Anthony, Jr.)
Investigators were informed thatTummarello had made numerous attempts to contact Epperley in an effort to visit the child, but his requests were refused. Epperley was reported to have been staying in Big Bear at that time.
Deputies’ attempts to contact the mother directly were unsuccessful. And a media release from the Big bear Sheriff’s Station indicates that Epperley’s family members did not cooperate with deputies during the course of the investigation.
WARRANT FOR ARREST
The matter was subsequently forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit for review and filing of criminal charges.
The District Attorney’s Office recently filed a complaint against Melissa Epperley on felony charges of kidnapping. A warrant in the amount of $650,000 has been issued for Epperley’s arrest.
Epperley is described as 5’7” tall, 115 lbs., with dark brown waist-length hair and brown eyes.
INFORMATION SOUGHT
Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Melissa Epperley or her 3-year-old son, is requested to contact the Detective’s Bureau of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at (909) 866-0100.
Information can also be reported anonymously by contacting WETIP at (800) 87-CRIME or online at WETIP. (228)