HIGHGATE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – A man trying to cross into Canada with two young daughters was reportedly stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Highgate, Vermont on Wednesday evening.
Authorities say that Jacob Burtner, 45, of Bedford, Pennsylvania was trying to escape prosecution, and that he intended to harm his two daughters, 5 and 8, after crossing the border.
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Burtner was wanted on a felony warrant out of Mineral County, West Virginia for financially exploiting an elderly or incapacitated adult.
He was reportedly stopped at the Welcome Center at the Highgate-Philipsburg border some time before 6:09 p.m. Wednesday.
Burtner’s two daughters were reportedly found to be hungry and covered in urine, not having received proper hygiene in several days. Police say they were given food at the sheriff’s office and taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Burtner is expected to be extradited to West Virginia and law enforcement reports that additional charges may be brought against him.
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