(PARMA) - Parma Police have charged two people in connection with the events surrounding the disappearance and eventual discovery of 17-year-old Katarina Bitterman at a home in Salem, Massachusetts. In a news release, police said Michael H. Julien, age 19, and his mother Renee M. Hanson, age 43, both of Salem, Massachusetts, were indicted today by a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. They are charged with inducing panic, interference with custody and obstructing justice, all felonies of the fifth degree.
Bitterman was reported missing back on March 4th. She was found approximately one week later on March 10th at the home of Michael H. Julien and Rene M. Hanson.
FBI agents in Boston and Salem Police were notified and later found Bitterman alive and unharmed inside Hanson’s residence. Bitterman was taken into custody by Salem Police and held until her parents brought her back to Parma.
Parma Police detectives, along with Cleveland and Boston FBI agents, continued to investigate this case after Bitterman was found in Salem. The investigation yielded evidence that Michael H. Julien and Renee M. Hanson plotted together to bring Bitterman back to Salem in order to live with them. The investigation also showed that Renee M. Hanson traveled alone to Parma on March 4th and picked up Bitterman a short distance from her home after her parents were gone. Renee M. Hanson then drove Bitterman back to her home in Salem.
In addition to the charges against Michael H. Julien and Renee M. Hanson, Katarina Bitterman will also be charged with one count of Inducing Panic in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.
Michael H. Julien is currently being held in the Essex County (Massachusetts) House of Corrections. Renee M. Hanson is not in custody at this time.