11-30-2010, 07:15 PM
Father of missing Morenci brothers arrested, charged with kidnapping
John Skelton, 39, was booked in the Lucas County Jail on Tuesday on three counts of parental kidnapping of his sons.
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BLADE STAFF
MORENCI, Mich. — John Skelton, the father of three missing brothers, was released from a Toledo hospital Tuesday afternoon and immediately arrested and charged with kidnapping in the boys' disappearance.
The news came in an afternoon news conference by Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks who said that Mr. Skelton, 39, was arrested in Ohio by agents of the Toledo office of the FBI. He was charged with three counts of parental kidnapping.
Mr. Skelton was brought to the Lucas County Jail about 3:25 p..m. He arrived in an unmarked van with tinted rear windows. He was wearing a hospital gown and was seated in a wheelchair. He was surrounded by law enforcement officials, some of whom chased reporters from the area.
Mr. Skelton was placed on suicide watch at the jail.
Andrew Ryan Skelton, left, Alexander William Skelton, center, and, Tanner Lucas Skelton, right.
RELATED STORY: Search targeting new areas in case of three missing Michigan boys
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Police said the missing boys -- 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner Skelton -- still have not been found. They were last seen with their father on Thanksgiving in Morenci, a town on the Michigan-Ohio border, 40 miles northwest of Toledo.
Mr. Skelton was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Mercy St. Vincent Medial Center. He was hospitalized following a suicide attempt on Friday.
Early Tuesday, volunteers renewed their search for the boys, despite Morcenci Police Chief Weeks saying such a search will not have "a positive outcome."
"We know it's a recovery mission right now," said Beverly Bovee, who has been out searching since Saturday. "For Tanya and the family, we've got to. That's what it's about."
Chief Weeks said at Tuesday morning news briefing that his somber news is based on information from everyone involved in the case, including John Skelton, who he said has not told them what has happened to the boys.
"He's been forthcoming with some information, the credibility of which we can not verify at this time," the chief said.
John Skelton, in wheelchair, arrives at the Lucas County Jail after being charged with three counts of parental kidnapping.
( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY )
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Chief Weeks said the boys' mother, Tanya, has been informed that the boys are most likely dead. Asked about her reaction, the chief said, "Imagine your worst nightmare coming true."
Four bus loads of volunteers and firefighters left from the Morenci Fire Department just after noon Tuesday. They were driven to rural areas around Morenci where they were dropped off in groups to search both sides of the roads, ditches, outbuildings, wherever they thought three little boys might be hidden.
People who turned out to again search for the boys Tuesday said the news that the children are probably not alive did not change what they were there to do.
"Not in my eyes," said Joe Pruzinsky of Clayton, Mich. "It's very important to find them one way or the other for the family."
Mr. Pruzinsky said he didn't know the Skeltons and can't imagine what they're going through.
"I'm really hoping he gave them to somebody to hide," he said. "You always hope for that ‘til it's over."
This is a developing story. Keep checking toledoblade.com for updates.
John Skelton, 39, was booked in the Lucas County Jail on Tuesday on three counts of parental kidnapping of his sons.
Zoom | Photo Reprints
BLADE STAFF
MORENCI, Mich. — John Skelton, the father of three missing brothers, was released from a Toledo hospital Tuesday afternoon and immediately arrested and charged with kidnapping in the boys' disappearance.
The news came in an afternoon news conference by Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks who said that Mr. Skelton, 39, was arrested in Ohio by agents of the Toledo office of the FBI. He was charged with three counts of parental kidnapping.
Mr. Skelton was brought to the Lucas County Jail about 3:25 p..m. He arrived in an unmarked van with tinted rear windows. He was wearing a hospital gown and was seated in a wheelchair. He was surrounded by law enforcement officials, some of whom chased reporters from the area.
Mr. Skelton was placed on suicide watch at the jail.
Andrew Ryan Skelton, left, Alexander William Skelton, center, and, Tanner Lucas Skelton, right.
RELATED STORY: Search targeting new areas in case of three missing Michigan boys
Zoom | Photo Reprints
Police said the missing boys -- 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner Skelton -- still have not been found. They were last seen with their father on Thanksgiving in Morenci, a town on the Michigan-Ohio border, 40 miles northwest of Toledo.
Mr. Skelton was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Mercy St. Vincent Medial Center. He was hospitalized following a suicide attempt on Friday.
Early Tuesday, volunteers renewed their search for the boys, despite Morcenci Police Chief Weeks saying such a search will not have "a positive outcome."
"We know it's a recovery mission right now," said Beverly Bovee, who has been out searching since Saturday. "For Tanya and the family, we've got to. That's what it's about."
Chief Weeks said at Tuesday morning news briefing that his somber news is based on information from everyone involved in the case, including John Skelton, who he said has not told them what has happened to the boys.
"He's been forthcoming with some information, the credibility of which we can not verify at this time," the chief said.
John Skelton, in wheelchair, arrives at the Lucas County Jail after being charged with three counts of parental kidnapping.
( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY )
Zoom | Photo Reprints
Chief Weeks said the boys' mother, Tanya, has been informed that the boys are most likely dead. Asked about her reaction, the chief said, "Imagine your worst nightmare coming true."
Four bus loads of volunteers and firefighters left from the Morenci Fire Department just after noon Tuesday. They were driven to rural areas around Morenci where they were dropped off in groups to search both sides of the roads, ditches, outbuildings, wherever they thought three little boys might be hidden.
People who turned out to again search for the boys Tuesday said the news that the children are probably not alive did not change what they were there to do.
"Not in my eyes," said Joe Pruzinsky of Clayton, Mich. "It's very important to find them one way or the other for the family."
Mr. Pruzinsky said he didn't know the Skeltons and can't imagine what they're going through.
"I'm really hoping he gave them to somebody to hide," he said. "You always hope for that ‘til it's over."
This is a developing story. Keep checking toledoblade.com for updates.
Anyone who would harm a child should die a slow painful death.