IONIA, MI -- John Skelton, the father of three missing boys from Morenci, is standing by his story that he gave his children away, but admits he regrets his decision.
Skelton's three sons, Andrew, Alexander and Tanner, have been missing for more than seven years after visiting their father for Thanksgiving. They boys were ages 9, 7 and 5, respectively, when they disappeared.
Skelton spoke to WDIV-Detroit reporter Sandra Ali for a story that was published Sunday night. Ali reports that during her interview with Skelton, he cried multiple times while detailing his final evening with his children before they disappeared on Thanksgiving Day, 2010.
He said the night before Thanksgiving he made the boys their favorite meal and a cake to celebrate Andrew's birthday. The next evening, Skelton says he sent the boys to an "underground sanctuary" near the Indiana and Ohio border to live with two women and a man in their 60s.
Although he stands by his story, Skelton says he regrets sending the boys away and that it was a mistake.
"I miss their voices," Skelton said.
Skelton was sentenced to 10-15 years in prison in 2011 for unlawful imprisonment. However, because the boys have never been found, police have been unable to bring any further charges against Skelton.
Last year, police began exploring a possible link to the boys when the remains of three children were found in Montana. Testing of the remains determined the ages of the children were 2-4 years old, 5-8 years old and 6-10 years old, according to a report.
The remains have been sent to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System for additional testing.