A multi-state manhunt has ended with the arrest of an Oklahoma couple accused of exploiting a 14-year-old girl in a disturbing surrogacy case that has drawn national attention.
Authorities say 36-year-old Nathan Potier and his girlfriend, also 36, were taken into custody in Nevada after fleeing Oklahoma amid a growing child sexual abuse investigation. The pair were located in the Reno-Sparks area following tips shared between multiple law enforcement agencies.
Potier is facing a charge of sexual assault of a child in Oklahoma County, while his partner — identified in court records as Erica Ramirez — has been charged with enabling sexual abuse of a child, according to officials.
The case first came to light in December when Child Protective Services alerted Oklahoma City police that a 14-year-old girl was pregnant with twins. Investigators later uncovered allegations that the couple had been using the teenager as a surrogate.
According to court documents, Ramirez told authorities she wanted children with Potier but was unable to conceive due to having her tubes tied. That revelation prompted further investigation, including efforts to obtain Potier’s DNA. However, before authorities could act on the warrant, the couple reportedly fled the state.
Law enforcement agencies then issued arrest warrants and began tracking their movements. Officials say the suspects were eventually found in Sparks, Nevada, where they were taken into custody and booked into the Washoe County jail on fugitive warrants.
Investigators also revealed that previous reports from California had raised similar concerns. Those reports alleged that Potier had sexually abused the same minor, and that Ramirez was aware of the situation.
While authorities have not disclosed how the teenager became connected to the couple, they confirmed she has since been placed in foster care. The suspects are currently awaiting extradition back to Oklahoma, where they will face the charges against them.
