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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Mom who snatched kids gets 1 year in jail

A woman who took her children from Spokane 12 years ago will spend six more months in jail.

 Jill D. Haugen, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday to a year in jail with credit for six months already served.

A jury convicted her earlier this month of two counts of custodial interference after she left Spokane with her two sons in 1998 despite a court order granting her estranged husband, Bill Connington, custody.

Connington didn’t hear from them until police Milton, Pa., located them with Haugen in December in an arrest that attracted national attention.

Haugen will be on probation for a year once she leaves jail. The boys are to move to Spokane this year to live with Connington.

A reader who wishes to remain an anonymous set up a donation account for Connington.

To donate, visit any U.S. Bank.

Past coverage:

June 20: Dad hopes today will be last Father's Day alone

April 11: Rebuilding a fractured family



Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.