Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 29, 2020, at about 1:22 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received information that a suspect wanted on kidnapping charges out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was possibly staying in the McKinleyville area.

 

Cody Leigh Gutzmer, 39 of Sioux Falls, reportedly unlawfully took his two children, a toddler and an infant, and fled to Humboldt County. Deputies located vehicles believed to be associated with Gutzmer outside a home on the 1800 block of Maplewood Drive. Through further investigation, deputies confirmed that Gutzmer was inside the residence with the two children.

At about 9:45 a.m., deputies announced themselves at the residence and Gutzmer surrendered peacefully. The children were located unharmed and were placed in protective custody.

Gutzmer was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on a felony warrant for fugitive from justice (PC 1551(a)) in relation to the Sioux Falls kidnapping investigation. He will be extradited to the state of South Dakota for prosecution.