Finley pleads not guilty

HOT SPRINGS – In Lake County District Court last Wednesday, Jamie Finley, a Hot Springs resident, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of kidnapping that occurred in Polson last month.

According to the court affidavit, Polson Police reports state that on May 18, the 34 year-old allegedly kidnapped two-year-old Lillianah Bigcrane. Bigcrane is the daughter of Finley’s sister, Evelyn Franks.

Court documents state Finley had reportedly confronted Franks about her decision to move with Lillianah to Butte, to reunite with an old boyfriend.

According to the affidavit, at one point in the argument, Finley picked up Lillianah and took her out to her 2004 Dodge Durango. Franks followed and was reportedly punched by Finley and forcibly pushed out of the vehicle.

An Amber Alert was issued to notify the public of Bigcrane’s abduction. However, the following morning police located Finley and Bigcrane at Finley’s Hot Springs residence.

Finley is facing felony kidnapping charges in the wake of the incident. Following the arrest, one of the conditions of Finley’s release was that she have no contact with Franks or Bigcrane.

Finley has an omnibus hearing scheduled for July 17. A jury trial is set to start on September 16.