The Dateline episode “Secrets on the Emerald Coast” investigates the 2011 disappearance and death of Marie Carlson of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The 37-year-old mother disappeared after leaving her newborn, her daughter Grace, in the care of her local pastor James Flanders and his wife Tanya. The leaders of the Calvary Emerald Coast Church claimed Carlson as a “sister wife” in a polygamous marriage. James Flanders was the father of Carlson’s baby. When Carlson disappeared, the Flanders moved to Arizona. Five years into an on-going investigation, Flanders admitted to holding Carlson in a “tight bear hug” until she stopped moving. He then buried her body in his backyard.
In 2016, Flanders was sentenced to the maximum 15 years in prison on a manslaughter charge. He was initially charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge in exchange for telling police where he buried Carlson’s body. Carlson’s family is fighting for custody of Grace who is being raised by Tanya Flanders. At Flanders’ sentencing, Carlson’s brother Randy Bridges said: “For over four-and-one-half years we didn’t know if our sister was alive or dead. Her child, Grace, was taken away and reared by the murderer of her mother.” Grace only knew James and Tanya Flanders as her parents. From jail, Flanders argued that a 2013 custody order gave him the right to assign care of his daughter to his wife Tanya and mother Geraldine. The two women became official co-guardians of Grace in 2016. Carlson’s family is allowed visits and regular contact with the girl who is now 6 years old. Dateline airs Keith Morrison’s report on Friday, March 2 at 10pm on NBC.
