The search continues for three missing brothers from Lenawee County.
Andrew Ryan Skelton, 9; Alexander William Skelton, 7; and Tanner Lucas Skelton, 5; have been missing since Friday morning.
The boys’ father, John Skelton, said he handed the boys over to a woman named Joann Taylor so he could attempt to hang himself, said Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks. She is said to drive a silver or white minivan.
Taylor was supposed to bring the boys to their mother but never did, Weeks said. Taylor is believed to be from the Hillsdale or Jackson areas. Though Weeks said he can’t confirm if the story is true.
The boys were dropped off at their father’s house on Wednesday, Weeks said.
Alexander and Andrew were last seen in their father’s backyard by a neighbor around 5 p.m. Thursday, Weeks said. John Skelton is believed to be the last one who saw them on Friday morning.
John Skelton was taken to the hospital by an acquaintance Friday afternoon after he attempted suicide, Weeks said.
The boys’ mother, Tanya Skelton, called police when she heard her husband was in the hospital and the boys had not arrived at her house at 3 p.m. Friday. Weeks said Tanya has had some form of “contact” with Taylor, although he would not elaborate on what that may be.
An Amber Alert was issued on Saturday morning, and the boys are considered to be “in extreme danger.”
Weeks said John Skelton met Taylor and her husband Mark Taylor several years ago when their vehicle broke down on the side of a road. They have maintained contact over the Internet since. Mark is said to be a pastor in the Hillsdale or Jackson area, Weeks said.
The Skeltons are married but separated, Weeks said. Tanya has custody of the boys. John Skelton is currently being cared for in a mental-health facility, Weeks said. Tanya Skelton has been working with police as they look for the boys.
Weeks said Morenci Police, the FBI’s The Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Michigan State Police have been helping with the search. They have searched the father’s house and interviewed family members, neighbors and acquaintances.
Searchers found a pair of children’s underwear Saturday in nearby Wakefield Park, but Weeks said tests have confirmed they did not belong to any of the boys.
A news conference held at the Morenci police station Saturday evening was filled with media from both Michigan and Ohio as well as local residents who have been helping look for the boys.
David Foster, 21, had been out with friends searching the surrounding woods since 11 a.m. Saturday. He has known the boys since they were babies.
“They are energetic, young kids,” Foster said. “They are not old enough to realize what’s going on, that’s the bad part.”
Andrew is 4 feet, 1 inch and weighs 45 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Alexander is 3 foot, 9 inches, weighs 45 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Tanner is 3 foot, 6 inches, weighs 40 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of the boys or Joann and Mark Taylor to call 9-1-1 or the Morenci Police Department at 517-458-7104.