Northeast Iowa Woman Charged With Harboring Runaway South Carolina Family

A northeast Iowa woman has been charged in connection with the search for a family sought by South Carolina authorities.

Tami Linne, 56, of Bluffton, is being charged with aggravated misdemeanor accessory to a felony, Winneshiek County sheriff's officials said. Linne is accused of willingly and knowingly harboring wanted felon William Ray and his family, reported missing from South Carolina.

Authorities in South Carolina had been searching for the family. They were concerned about the well-being of the couple's 2-year-old daughter, Dakota, as the parents are allegedly heavy methamphetamine users.

The Ray family was initially spotted at a hospital in LeMars last Monday (May 14, 2018), and were believed to be heading to Minnesota. Instead, the family was discovered and arrested in Winneshiek County late Thursday. Authorties said the child was in good health at the time.

William Ray faces multiple charges, and Jessica Ray is charged with theft.

More charges are pending.