By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Allissa Marie Sands

Elizabeth Ann Sands

WARSAW — Two women received suspended sentences for their interference in the custody of a Syracuse teenager who was reported missing for four months.

Elizabeth Ann Sands, 49, Boynton Beach, Fla., was charged with interference with custody, entered as a class A misdemeanor.

Allissa Marie Sands, 27, Boynton Beach, Fla., was charged with aiding in the interference of custody, entered as a class A misdemeanor. False informing charges for both Elizabeth and Allissa were dismissed as part of their plea agreements.

Both Elizabeth and Allissa pled guilty and were sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, July 13.

On April 27, 2021, Aaliyah Ramirez, who was 14 at the time, went missing. A Statewide Silver Alert for Ramirez was declared on April 30, 2021. In late August 2021, Ramirez was found safe in Florida.

Ramirez’s disappearance was widely publicized, with a national television show spotlighting the case.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered Elizabeth, Ramirez’s maternal grandmother; and Allissa, Ramirez’s aunt, were involved in taking Ramirez to Florida.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek said justice was found through convictions against Elizabeth and Allissa.

“The amount of resources and time law enforcement had to put into this case was incredible,” said Sobek. “It was a long, long process to reach this point.”

Nick Jacobs, Allissa’s defense attorney; and Austin Rovenstine, Elizabeth’s defense attorney, both requested fully suspended sentences for their clients. They also both objected to a restitution claim from Ramirez’s father, Anthony Ramirez. A restitution hearing for that matter was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Aug. 15.

Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath also commented on the incurred costs throughout the investigation of Ramirez’s disappearance.

“You did the wrong thing by interfering with her custody,” said McGrath.

Allissa and Elizabeth both received one-year sentences at the Kosciusko County Jail, with two months executed and the remainder of the sentence fully suspended. They each have 32 days of jail time credit.

They must also pay $209.32 in restitution to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office for extradition costs. A no-contact order between Elizabeth, Allissa, and Ramirez also remains in effect.

On April 27, 2021, Kasey McIntire, Ramirez’s stepmother, told police Ramirez went to a bus stop around 8 a.m. However, when McIntire called Ramirez’s school about five hours later to say she would be picking Ramirez up early for an appointment, she learned Ramirez never arrived at school that day.

During the initial investigation, police learned Anthony had full custody of his daughter. There was an order granting communication between Ramirez, Elizabeth, and Allissa. There was also an order prohibiting contact between Ramirez and an individual identified as her boyfriend.

Anthony told police Elizabeth and Allissa may possibly be involved in Ramirez’s disappearance since the women did not agree with the court’s decision and made comments in the past about taking Ramirez.

Ashli Ashby, Ramirez’s mother, also told police she believed Elizabeth and Allissa formulated a plan to take Ramirez to Florida so Ramirez could be with her boyfriend.

Based on past encounters with the family, it was also discovered Ramirez had continuously tried to go to Florida to be with Elizabeth, while Elizabeth and Allissa both supported Ramirez’s relationship with her boyfriend.

Police discovered text messages the day before Ramirez’s disappearance between Ramirez, Elizabeth, Allissa, and Ramirez’s boyfriend.

In July 2021, surveillance footage from two shopping malls in Florida showed Ramirez wearing a disguise while in the company of her boyfriend and Elizabeth.

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• National Show To Spotlight Missing 14-Year-Old Syracuse Girl