LCSO seeking information on missing Fernley woman and 7-month-old daughter

By Robert Perea

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is asking for information from the public to help find a missing Fernley woman and her 7-month-old daughter.

LCSO said it began investigating after receiving a courtesy report on May 11 that had been forwarded by the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office on May 9 regarding DeFond and the baby being missing. LCSO said DeFond was entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing on May 11, but not enough information to enter the baby was provided at that time.   

After receiving additional information, the baby was entered into the national databases as missing. 

On April 5, DeFond was arrested and booked into the Lyon County Jail on an outstanding arrest warrant. LCSO said she spent a few weeks in custody before being transferred to a rehabilitation center at the end of April. Less than a week later, she walked away from the rehabilitation facility on May 1. The sheriff’s office said DeFond was picked up in the desert by her boyfriend and one of his friends. They stayed in Fallon before returning Fernley the next day.

On the morning of May 5, the Third Judicial District Court for Lyon County issued a warrant for DeFond’s arrest charging Failure to Comply with a Third Judicial District Court Specialty Court Order. The warrant ordered her to be held without bail upon arrest. Also on the morning of May 5, witnesses reported to DeFond’s boyfriend that she had left the residence with her 7-month-old daughter, of whom she had legal custody. Investigators have not been able to identify a vehicle in relation to this case and it was reported DeFond likely left on foot. 

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is actively working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other federal partners to conduct this on-going investigation.  Based on the reporting requirements for an AMBER Alert, this situation does not meet the requirements at this time. If that changes, additional information will be released. 

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Twyla DeFond, the baby, a vehicle they may be driving, their current location, or any other information that may be relevant is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Ty Joyner at 775-463-6600 in reference to case number 26LY01858.