Carmel Valley’s “Fugitive Mom” released from prison

The Carmel Valley housewife who was returned to a Michigan prison last spring after spending three decades in hiding was greeted by her family Tuesday morning when she was released.

Susan LeFevre, 54, laughed and thanked her family for its support moments after she was released from Huron Valley Prison, just south of Ann Arbor, Mich., around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

“I really didn’t think I would make it at times...but my family has just been incredible,’’ LeFevre told reporters. “I’m just a very lucky person.’’

LeFevre was living as Marie Walsh in the affluent North County suburb when she was arrested on April 24, 2008, by U.S. Marshals who had received an anonymous tip on her whereabouts.

At 19, LeFevre was convicted of selling heroin and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison--a sentence authorities now say was far too severe for a first-time offender. About 14 months into her sentence, she climbed a barbed wire fence and was met by her grandfather, who helped her disappear.

Following her arrest last spring, LeFevre pleaded guilty to an escape charge and was sentenced to probation. But a Michigan parole board decided to delay her release because of at least 10 infractions she had racked up since her return to prison, including hiding prescription pills in her cell.

The Michigan Department of Corrections has agreed to transfer her to California so she can spend her time on parole with her family, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.