Lisa and her brother, Christopher, were abducted by their non-custodial mother, Susan Elizabeth Zaharias, on November 20, 1987. At the time, Susan was married to the children’s father, Louis Zaharias. After a heated argument between Susan and Louis that morning, Louis left to cool off. While he was at work later that day, Susan took the children and disappeared. It is believed that relatives assisted Susan in getting the children to the airport, after which they were sent to live with other family members in Oklahoma. The trio was later spotted in Detroit, Michigan, and there have been subsequent sightings in Pennsylvania, Washington State, and New Jersey. A felony warrant for crimes against persons was issued for Susan on February 17, 1988, along with a warrant for custodial interference.