Date Archives June 2016

Judge denies another motion to dismiss criminal charges against Doug and Gina Dahlen

For the second time this month, Judge Karen Asphaug has denied a motion filed by Doug and Gina Dahlen to dismiss the criminal charges filed against them related to disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville who were found living at their ranch in northern Minnesota.

The Dahlens have each been charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, who disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents on April 19, 2013.

The girls were found on November 15, 2015, and were missing for a total of 944 days.

Last week, Judge Asphaug denied a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against the Dahlen on the basis that the statutes defining deprivation of parental rights are “overbroad.”

Judge Asphaug also denied a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against the Dahlens based on their claim that the statutes defining deprivation of parental rights violates their free exercise of religion. Continue reading

In interview, Dede Evavold expressed sympathy for David Rucki

One of the four people charged in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville for 944 days — Deirdre [Dede] Evavold — spoke with me last year and offered her perspective on the legal drama involving the Rucki family.[/drop_cap]

The interview with Evavold occurred in September 2015 —three months before she would be charged with felonies related to the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki in April 2013. Continue reading

Judge denies motion to dismiss criminal charges against the Dahlens

Judge Karen Asphaug has denied a motion filed by Doug and Gina Dahlen to dismiss the criminal charges filed against them related to the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville who were found living at their ranch in northern Minnesota.

The Dahlens have each been charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, who disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents on April 19, 2013.

The girls were found on November 15, 2015, and were missing for a total of 944 days.

The girls’ mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, has been charged with six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights. Continue reading

Facing potential civil litigation in Rucki case, owner deletes blog

The owner of a blog which focused on alleged corruption in family court cases deleted the blog just days after being notified that she is facing potential civil litigation from her involvement in incidents related to the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville.

Lea Dannewitz deleted her blog, Carver County Corruption, within days of receiving a letter from an attorney representing David Rucki, the father of Samantha and Gianna Rucki who disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents on April 19, 2013. Continue reading

Doug Dahlen’s refusal to comply with court orders forces hearing

A court hearing has been scheduled for next month about Doug Dahlen’s, refusal to comply with a court order to leave or cooperate in the sale of a property in northern Minnesota where two missing Lakeville sisters lived for over two years after disappearing from their home.

Doug and his third wife, Gina Dahlen, have each been charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, who disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents on April 19, 2013. Continue reading

Owners of ranch where missing Rucki sisters lived violate court order to leave property

Doug and Gina Dahlen, the owners of a ranch in northern Minnesota where two missing Lakeville sisters lived for over two years after disappearing from their home, have been living on the property in violation of a court order since May 2015.

Doug and his third wife, Gina, have each been charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, who disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents on April 19, 2013. Continue reading