On July 29th the Montana Department of Justice issued a Missing Endangered Person Advisory on behalf of Troy, Montana Police Department for 6 year old Ashlynn Eve Basham.
According to the advisory from Montana Department of Justice, Ashlynn was taken by her father 32 year old Benjamin Jay Basham, who was described as having “violent tendencies and is a known drug user.” The alert said Basham took the child after an altercation with the girl’s mother.
On Friday, July 31st, just before 2:00pm, ECSO dispatch center received a report about the location of the child and suspect.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area on Humbug Creek Road west of Jacksonville, Oregon, set up surveillance, and put together a plan to contact the suspect and the missing girl. Deputies confirmed with the Troy Police Department that Lincoln County Montana had issued an extraditable warrant for Benjamin Basham. The warrant was for aggravated assault and parenting interference. The warrant bail amount was set at $100,000. Ashlynn was additionally listed nationally as missing and endangered.
At 3:40pm, the vehicle believed to be used by Benjamin Basham was observed leaving the property on Humbug Creek Road. Ashlyn was spotted riding in the back of the vehicle. A felony traffic stop was performed and the driver was found to not be the suspect and was identified as a relative. Ashlynn was located in the back of the vehicle and was safely taken from the vehicle by Deputies and cared for. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested.
Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies including members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s SWAT team then went to the home on Humbug Creek Road. Benjamin Basham was contacted and taken into custody without further incident.
After confirming the warrant with Lincoln County Montana, Benjamin was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant.
Oregon Department of Human Services responded and took Ashlynn into their care and are working in partnership with Montana Child Protective Services.
