Lori Daybell, mother of missing Idaho kids, remains in jail despite bail reduction

REXBURG — Lori Vallow Daybell remains in the Madison County Jail, but deputies are ready for her release if she can post the $1 million bail.

The mother of Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, who have been missing since September, had her initial court appearance in Idaho on Friday. Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins reduced Daybell’s bail amount from $5 million to $1 million and said that if she posts bond, she must wear a GPS monitor, sign a waiver of extradition and may not leave Fremont, Madison, Jefferson and Bonneville counties.

“We have the paperwork ready, but so far, nothing has happened. We have done our due diligence as far as getting an ankle monitor, and we are ready if she does find a bondsman,” Madison County Sheriff Sgt. Isaac Payne told EastIdahoNews.com.

At last check, Daybell was in a smaller, segregated portion of the jail but is not in isolation, according to Payne. She can visit face-to-face with her attorneys and clergy, but all other visits are done through a video chat system.

A bond, also known as bail, is money or collateral paid to the court by a defendant to ensure they return for future court dates. Once a bond is set, a defendant has three payment options to get out of jail: cash, collateral or a bail bonds company.

If Daybell decides to post bond through a bail bonds company, she would be required to pay 10 percent of the bond amount – $100,000 – along with additional jail and state fees. Two local bond companies told EastIdahoNews.com that they were contacted by Daybell’s representatives, but the businesses are declining to work with her.

Running a bail bonds company can be risky. If Daybell were to bond out and then fail to show up for court, it is up to the company to return her to custody or risk being liable for the entire $1 million.

Daybell is charged with two counts of felony child desertion and nonsupport of children, misdemeanor resisting and obstructing an officer, solicitation of a crime and contempt of court. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 18-19, at which Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood will need to prove that there is enough evidence on the felony charges for the case to proceed to District Court.

EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Daybell’s attorneys, Mark Means and Edwina Elcox, for comment but has not received any.