Danielle Alonso called police just before she vanished on Sunday, claiming that she was afraid of her father after she had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police said she claimed she told him about her conversion in a letter and he responded with an angry phone call, then a threat to come from their home in Rockport, Texas, to Utah to get her. She said he had been abusive in the past, and the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office told her to lock the door and call 911 if he showed up.

On Sunday, police said Daniel Alonso showed up and Danielle Alonso answered the door, believing she could talk him out of the situation. Instead, detectives believe Daniel Alonso grabbed his daughter and spirited her to a rental car. The car was found at the Denver International Airport, and she was located days later at their home in Rockport, Texas.

A lawyer for the Alonsos, Steven Shapiro, said Wednesday that it is all a "big misunderstanding" and that Danielle Alonso went willingly with them to Texas after skipping a flight home for Mother's Day. Asked if Danielle Alonso's conversion to the LDS Church was a factor, Shapiro said the triggering factor was her not returning home.

"I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion," Shapiro said Wednesday. "Everything you will find out about the Alonsos is that they are loving and caring parents. Their daughter is healthy, happy and voluntarily in Texas right now."

Hutson said Thursday the sheriff's office was not responding to Shapiro's characterization of the situation, but rather focusing on completing its investigation.

E-MAIL: bwinslow@desnews.com