Tyler McCain’s Felony DV Charges Dismissed As Search for Missing Wife Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain Continues

On Friday, July 5, the Shasta County Superior Court agreed to dismiss the District Attorney’s case against Tyler Scott McCain for four counts of felony domestic violence allegedly perpetrated against his wife, Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain in December 2023. 

She’s has been missing since May 17, ten days after her husband was arraigned on those charges. A trial had been set for July 2, but the issue was vacated last week at the request of the District Attorney’s Office.

In a statement released to Shasta Scout on July 5, the DA’s Office explained that the difficult decision was made because the victim, Saelee-McCain, is still missing. 

“Her presence at this point in time is necessary to move forward with the case,” the DA’s Office said. “As previously stated in Court, the DA’s office has exhausted all avenues to prove the case at this time without her. The DA’s office reserves all rights to refile this case in the future.”

The DA’s Office has not released further information about the decision to request to dismiss, saying doing so would jeopardize the ability to refile the case in future and could also negatively impact the search for Saelee-McCain. Briona Sisneros, a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office, confirmed for Shasta Scout that the DA has two-and-a-half more years to refile the case if additional evidence comes to light.

Saelee-McCain’s sisters, Chloe Saelee and Kaye Ford, spoke to the media briefly after the July 5 decision, saying they will not stop searching for Saelee-McCain until she’s found. They expressed understanding of the DA’s decision, saying it makes sense to wait for the needed evidence to refile charges.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead in the ongoing search for Saelee-McCain, a mother of four who was last heard from very early on the morning of May 18. Tim Mapes, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, told Shasta Scout that the missing person case remains active.

“Detectives with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit continue to work diligently on the investigation,” Mapes said. “Further details of steps being taken by investigators are not being released to protect the integrity of the investigation.”

More than three hundred community members rallied at the Shasta County Courthouse on Friday, as McCain showed up in court. Many wore traditional Mien clothing and translation for rally cries spoken in English were spontaneously repeated in Mien for those with less English fluency.

The crowd confronted McCain’s defense attorney, Michael Borges, as he approached the courthouse but were unable to confront McCain because he did not enter through the Court’s front doors.

In response to questions from Shasta Scout, Melissa Fowler-Bradley, the Court’s Executive Officer, said McCain entered through an alternate door as a result of security measures taken by the Court’s Marshal’s Office to ensure the safety of both McCain and the crowd.

“Keeping all persons safe in and around the courthouse is our paramount concern and our responsibility,” Fowler-Bradley said. “I cannot reveal any further details on our internal security practices or policy.” 

A small number of people from the crowd followed Chief Deputy District Attorney Sarah Murphy as she left the court after the charges against McCain were dismissed at the DA’s request, with several  shouting out that she was “just as guilty as Tyler!” 

About a half-dozen individuals continued their protest in front of the District Attorney’s Office after the hearing’s conclusion. Trinity, who asked for only her first name to be published for safety reasons, said she’d like to see domestic violence charges be much more significantly prioritized by the District Attorney’s Office.

Another individual, Tracey Cole, whose daughter, Larissa was murdered five years ago behind Viking Skate in Redding, said she came to the rally to support Saelee-McCain’s family. She said while the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is being quiet about the missing person case, that’s similar to how the Redding Police Department behaved during her daughter’s case too.

“They have to be quiet when there is an ongoing investigation, which I understand,” Cole said.

Yesterday, July 8, the Redding Rancheria issued a press release in response to community concerns about whether law enforcement has received adequate access to Tribal lands in the search for Saelee-McCain, who was driving towards her mother-in-law’s home near the Win-River Casino when she last texted family.

The Rancheria does not have its own Tribal Law Enforcement agency with the capacity to conduct criminal investigations, the Redding Rancheria said. But since California is what as known as a Public Law 280 state, local law enforcement agencies have criminal jurisdiction over all the land within the interior boundary of the Rancheria.

Importantly, the Rancheria explained, by law the Tribe cannot grant access to an individual Tribal Member’s parcels or infringe upon an individual Tribal Member’s rights.

The Rancheria reaffirmed its commitment to the safe discovery of Saelee-McCain who, they said, is “close and dear to many in our Tribal community.” The Tribe has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her return and has paid for a large billboard along Interstate 5 to spread awareness of her disappearance. They’ve also granted access to local search parties on Tribal lands and cooperated with local law enforcement by providing information, including video footage, as requested.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge “members of the public, as well as family who may have any information”, to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or MCU@shastacounty.gov.

The nonprofit NorCal Alliance for the Missing also provides an anonymous tip line for those wishing to report information without fear of retaliation.

“If you call, you WILL remain anonymous,” the organization posted on social media. “We offer a safe outlet for the community to share information without fear of retaliation. Our sole mission is to bring Nikki home. If you have any information, please call the tipline at 530-378-4491.”

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