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Case started after girl’s father called authorities from interstate south of Portland

 

By RAELYNN RICARTE

News staff writer

Hood River County Sheriff Deputy Jess Flem was patrolling Cascade Avenue Wednesday night when he spotted the suspect vehicle in a possible kidnapping case.

Flem conducted a traffic stop about 9:40 p.m. Aug. 11 and found 12-year-old Elizabeth Shambaugh inside the 1985 Ford F-250 pickup. The girl had been reported missing hours earlier by her father, Kilunnun Chivoski.

The driver of the pickup, Christine Johnston, 32, of Umatilla, was taken into custody by Flem. She was then turned over to Clackamas County law enforcement officials and charged with custodial interference.

Investigators initially cautioned that the incident might have been a case of “missed connections.” Chivoski and Johnston were travelling in a caravan along Interstate 205 when they become separated near Oregon City.

However, the possibility of a criminal action taking place emerged after a police officer pulled Johnston over south of Portland. She reportedly told the officer that Shambaugh was her daughter.

Detective Jim Strovink, a Clackamas County sheriff’s spokesperson, gave this account of the case:

About five days ago, Chivoski met Johnston in the Lebanon area, where the woman was panhandling.

Chivoski was unemployed with several children in his care. He reportedly accepted Johnston’s invitation that the family return to her Umatilla home to eat, shower and wash their clothes.

At some point in the caravan, Shambaugh switched cars and began riding in Johnston’s truck.

Chivoski told authorities that he lost track of the vehicle near Oregon City about 3:30 p.m. and pulled off at the next exit to wait, a prearranged plan.

Just then he allegedly saw the pickup go by with his daughter inside. He told law enforcement officials that she had her hands raised in a questioning gesture and a confused expression on her face.

Shambaugh was reunited with her father and two siblings late Wednesday night.

Chivoski told authorities that the family had been displaced after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005. He had been supporting the family by working odd-jobs while moving his way across the country.