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.
The girls lived at the White Horse Ranch, which is located on 162 acres in Herman, Minnesota, and were found by law enforcement on November 15, 2015.
According to court documents from Doug Dahlen’s divorce from his second wife, Pamela Nelson in 2009, the property where Doug currently lives with Gina, which includes the White Horse Ranch, was to be listed and sold, with the proceeds being divided by Doug and Pamela.
On November 3, 2014, the court ordered Doug to “vacate the property” if it had not been sold within six months. Doug was also provided with the option of purchasing Nelson’s interest in the property.
Doug has not vacated the property, nor has he purchased Nelson’s interest in the property — a violation of the court’s order.
Doug and Gina continue to live on the property and run the White Horse Ranch, which includes interacting with children, while they await their upcoming criminal trials.
Neither Doug, nor his attorney, responded to a request for comment.
The girls’ mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, has been charged with six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights.
Deirdre [Dede] Evavold has also been charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights for her involvement in the disappearance of the girls.
According to the criminal complaint filed against the Dahlens, the girls were delivered to the Dahlen’s residence at the White Horse Ranch on April 21, 2013 by Grazzini-Rucki and Evavold.
Last month, Doug and Gina offered to testify against Grazzini-Rucki and Evavold at their criminal trials, if they are granted immunity from prosecution.
The girls have been reunited with their father David Rucki, who was awarded full custody of all five of his children in November 2013.
