Arizona Mother and Uncle Extradited for Alleged Cult-Related Kidnapping

In a case echoing the notorious Vallow-Daybell saga, Spring Thibaudeau and her brother Brook Hale have been extradited to Arizona, accused of kidnapping Thibaudeau’s 16-year-old son, Blaze, as part of a doomsday cult. The siblings, who allegedly harbored beliefs similar to the infamous cult led by Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, were apprehended along the Alaska-Canada border.

According to court documents, Thibaudeau believed herself to be the “chosen prophetess” and her son Blaze the “Davidic messenger” of this group. Blaze, however, reportedly resisted these beliefs, which his father, Ben Thibaudeau, described as “insane.” The siblings’ plan was to take Blaze to Canada, a plan meticulously executed, involving the withdrawal of large sums of money, shutting off cell phones, and purchasing winter survival gear for living in the mountains.

Brook Hale had reportedly left a note expressing that he had “received visions” and couldn’t disclose what would happen or when they would meet again. This note and the subsequent actions sparked an investigation leading to their capture. The similarities to the Vallow-Daybell case, which ended tragically with the murder of Vallow’s children, prompted swift law enforcement action. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former special agent, emphasized the dangers posed by apocalyptic beliefs, especially to children.

Both the Thibaudeau and Daybell cults originated as offshoots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although the church has not commented on either case. The charges against Thibaudeau and Hale are custodial interference felonies. However, their doomsday beliefs, while concerning, are not the basis of the felony charge, but rather the act of taking Blaze out of the state.

This chilling case raises questions about religious extremism and its potential impact on vulnerable individuals. It also highlights the importance of quick law enforcement intervention in such cases, a lesson underscored by the tragic outcomes of the Vallow-Daybell case. As the Thibaudeaus await their trial, the community remains vigilant against the dangerous intersection of extreme beliefs and action​​​​​​.