A Fernley mother and her 7-month-old daughter are reported missing, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. LCSO is actively working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other federal partners to conduct the investigation. The sheriff’s office put out the following news release Wednesday afternoon.
On April 5, 2026, Twyla Defond, 28, of Fernley, Nev. was arrested on a warrant and booked into the Lyon County Jail on an outstanding arrest warrant. She spent few weeks in custody before being transferred to a rehabilitation center at the end of April.
Less than a week later, she walked away from the rehabilitation facility on May 1, 2026. Twyla was picked up in the desert by her boyfriend and one of his friends. They stayed in Fallon before returning Fernley the next day.
On the morning of May 5, 2026, The Third Judicial District Court for Lyon County issued a warrant for Twyla’s arrest. The warrant was for Failure to Comply with a Third Judicial District Court Specialty Court Order. The warrant ordered Twyla be held without bail upon arrest.
Also on the morning of May 5, 2026, witnesses reported to the woman’s boyfriend that Twyla had left the residence with her 7-month-old daughter, of whom she had legal custody. Investigators have not been able to identify a vehicle in relation to this case and it was reported Twyla likely left on foot.
On May 9, 2026 the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office forwarded a courtesy report to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in regards to Twyla and the baby being missing persons. Twyla nor the baby had been reported as missing to the national data bases at that time.
On May 11, 2026 the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received the report from Churchill County. This was the first report regarding the situation and an investigation was immediately started. Twyla was entered into NCIC as missing. Not enough information to enter the baby was provided or able to be obtained at that time.
May 13, 2026 information was located and the baby was entered into the national data bases as missing.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is actively working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other federal partners to conduct this on-going investigation. Based on the reporting requirements for an AMBER Alert, this situation does not meet the requirements at this time. If that changes, additional information will be released.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Twyla, the baby, a vehicle they may be driving, their current location, or any other information you believe to be relevant, please contact Detective Lieutenant Ty Joyner at 775-463-6600 in reference to case number 26LY01858.
