SALEM, Ore. — Former Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside is accused of fleeing the country with her 9-year-old son while facing multiple felony charges, according to the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ).
Allegations of Financial Crimes
In March 2025, Fireside was charged with stealing $30,000 from her mother’s boyfriend, who resides in an assisted living facility in Lake Oswego. Prosecutors allege that she accessed the man’s bank account during a visit, coached him to reset his online banking information, and then used the account to withdraw funds.
Court documents state Fireside transferred $29,000 to repay a loan to state representative April Dobson and moved another $1,000 into her personal account. The suspicious activity was later reported by the victim’s daughter to his credit union.
Also Read
Fireside, a Democrat, was elected to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in November 2024, defeating Republican incumbent Mark Shull.
Suspected Flight and Ongoing Investigation
New developments surfaced this week when Fireside’s former partner, the father of her son, contacted the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office. He reported that Fireside had withdrawn their child from school and may have fled the country, according to documents filed October 31.
Though Fireside has full custody, the father expressed concern for the boy’s safety, citing their shared parenting agreement.
The DOJ initially found no record of Fireside leaving the country since 2022. However, investigators later learned from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that Fireside booked a flight from Mexico to Amsterdam using Dutch Royal Airlines and an Austrian passport. Officials believe she may have crossed into Mexico using a fake ID.
Legal Action and State Response
Following these findings, the DOJ filed a motion to revoke Fireside’s conditional release, which was granted on Friday. Attorney General Dan Rayfield emphasized that locating Fireside and ensuring her son’s safety remain top priorities.
“Our top concern right now is the safety and well-being of this child,” Rayfield said in a statement. “We are working closely with law enforcement partners here and at the federal level to locate Ms. Fireside and ensure she is held accountable under Oregon law. No one should be able to evade justice by crossing a border.”
Charges and Next Steps
Fireside faces several felony counts, including:
-
First-degree aggravated theft
-
First-degree theft
-
Computer crime
-
First-degree forgery
Her pretrial release had required her to remain in Oregon unless granted permission by the court. A jury trial was scheduled for December 2.
State and federal authorities are now working to confirm Fireside’s whereabouts. If she is found abroad, the extradition process will depend on the country involved.
