Statewide alert issued for mother, 5-year-old boy involved in custody dispute

Atlas Kleiser, 5, is believed to be with his mother, Carrie Murphy, who officials say failed to turn him over to his father Sept. 30, 2026. (Image courtesy Juneau County Sheriff's Office)

(WTAQ-WLUK) — A child custody dispute has led to a statewide alert after a mother allegedly took off with her 5-year-old son.

Authorities in Juneau County in central Wisconsin say Carrie Murphy was ordered by a court to turn over her son, Atlas Kleiser, to the boy’s father at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the New Lisbon Police Department. At that time, however, a Flock camera captured Murphy’s vehicle in Jackson County, heading north.

Around 8:30 p.m., authorities in Rusk County in northwestern Wisconsin went to a home where Murphy and her son were last known to be. Murphy became aware of the law enforcement response and left before authorities arrived. It is not known where Murphy and her son are currently.

Investigators say Murphy, 39, has been held in contempt for multiple violations of the custody agreement. Authorities say they are concerned about her “escalating” mental status, as she was nearly taken to jail for her behavior during a court hearing on Wednesday.

Murphy was last seen in a 2016 Kia Sportage with a license plate of BCP-1849. She has ties to Monroe, Juneau, Sawyer and Rusk counties.