Re: ANDREW (9), ALEXANDER (7) & TANNER SKELTON (5) - Morenci, Michigan (USA) - 26/11/10

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:49 am

Washington Post

1 February 2011

Case of 3 missing Mich. brothers is homicide probe‎

The disappearance of three young Michigan brothers has turned into a homicide investigation, a police chief said Tuesday, dashing hopes that the boys who were last seen with their father at Thanksgiving are safe somewhere.

Morenci Chief Larry Weeks is now asking people in the area, along the Michigan-Ohio border, to be on the lookout for bodies. He said investigators have followed up on 900 tips but they have not been fruitful.

"We've seen false hope continue to grow," he told reporters.

Weeks said the boys' father, John Skelton, is the primary focus of the investigation, although no new charges have been filed. Skelton already has been charged with parental kidnapping and is being held on a $30 million bond.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020104639.html

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:52 am

CNN

1 February 2011

Case of missing Michigan boys now a murder investigation, police say‎

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/01/michigan.missing.boys/

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:53 am

Examiner

1 February 2011

Missing Skelton brothers: Police release new information on case‎

The Morenci Police Dept. gave an update on Tuesday on the status of the case of the missing Skelton boys from Michigan.

"From this point forward, this is no longer a missing-person case, but a murder investigation," said Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks during a press conference today. Weeks says he wants to put it to rest that there is any hope that they are still alive.

With spring coming, Weeks wants to bring it to the attention of the public that as they return to cabins and campers and fields to keep an eye for the remains of the brothers.

Tanya Skelton, the boys mother was told that the case would become a homicide investigation.

http://www.examiner.com/missing-persons-in-national/missing-skelton-brothers-police-release-new-information-on-case

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:57 am

Toledo Blade

2 February 2011

Missing Morenci boys investigation's focus shifted to murder‎

The search for the three brothers who have been missing since Thanksgiving is officially a murder investigation.

That's what Morenci police Chief Larry Weeks told a packed news conference in the city's downtown fire station Tuesday.

Early in the investigation, Chief Weeks predicted there would be "no positive outcome" in the search for Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton, who were 9, 7, and 5 respectively when they disappeared. Hope was bolstered by reported sightings of the youngsters, but they came to nothing.

Tuesday Chief Weeks said evidence compiled by investigators, which he could not disclose, and lies told by the missing boys' father about their disappearance led him to conclude they are not alive.

http://toledoblade.com/article/20110202/NEWS16/102010384/0/SCHOOLCLOSURES

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:00 am

Daily Mail

2 February 2011

Tragic case of three missing brothers 'kidnapped by father' is now a murder investigation

The disappearance of three young boys last autumn is now being treated as a murder investigation, police have said - and their father is the prime suspect.
Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and five-year-old Tanner were last seen on Thanksgiving Day at John Skelton's house, but he insists that he left with a woman called Joann Taylor two months ago.
Skelton, 39, has already been charged with parental kidnapping and was arrested in December.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1352832/Tragic-case-missing-brothers-kidnapped-father-murder-investigation.html#ixzz1Cpk58ydi

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1352832/Tragic-case-missing-brothers-kidnapped-father-murder-investigation.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

**pam supportfromireland** Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:58 am

This is just heartbreaking. Thank you Twiggy for the updates.

It's hard not to be really angry here !!!!!

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:00 am

FOX Toledo

9 February 2011

Skelton hearing continued‎

The father of the missing Morenci, Michigan boys continues to keep the court at bay when it comes to where his sons may be.

John Skelton, 39, appeared in Lenawee County court Wednesday morning. What could have been another verbal standoff between the court and the father, Skelton’s attorney asked for an adjournment of the hearing. The continuance was granted and has been rescheduled for February 23rd.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/skelton-hearing-continued

**Twiglet** Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:02 am

Detroit Free Press

9 February 2011

Pretrial hearing postponed in case of missing Morenci boys

A pretrial hearing for a Morenci man accused in the disappearance of his three sons was adjourned today until later this month.

John Skelton appeared in Lenawee County Circuit Court this morning. He is facing three parental kidnapping charges in the disappearance of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton, ages 9, 7 and 5.

He will be back in court Feb. 23.

Skelton's attorney, John Glaser, and Lenawee County Prosecutor Jonathan Poer agreed on the adjournment, but both declined to say why it was requested.

Last week, Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks announced publicly that the search for the brothers was being handled as a murder investigation. No additional charges have yet been filed against Skelton.

"This is no longer a missing persons case, but a murder investigation," Weeks said last week. "I'm sure that when the time is appropriate ... charges will be requested."

http://www.freep.com/article/20110209/NEWS06/110209037/1214/BLOG24/Pretrial-hearing-postponed-case-missing-Morenci-boys?odyssey=nav%7Chead

**Twiglet** Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:21 am

13abc

9 February 2011

Radio dedications to benefit Skelton reward fund‎

A local radio station is holding a unique Valentine's Day promotion. The station's asking for donations to help find the Skelton brothers.

You can call in, request a song, and donate $5. It will go toward the reward for the Morenci boys.

As the search for Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton continues, the voices behind this Adrian radio station are putting out a call of their own. Lori Sallows, the promotions director for 1039 WLEN, launched a Valentine themed campaign called "Share Your Heart." You can fill out a form to request a song February 14 for a $5 donation. It will go to the Morenci reward fund -- a fund set up in the hopes of finding the missing Skelton brothers.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7948897

**Twiglet** Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:15 am

Examiner

9 February 2011

HLN's Nancy Grace: Features 3 missing Morenci boys; now murder invetigation

http://www.examiner.com/missing-persons-in-national/hln-s-nancy-grace-features-3-missing-morenci-boys-now-murder-invetigation

**Twiglet** Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:23 am

San Luis Obispo Tribune

23 february 2011

Kidnap charges added against dad of 3 missing boys‎

Prosecutors have added charges of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment against the father of three boys from southeastern Michigan who've been missing since Thanksgiving.

Police in Morenci, near the Ohio border, are treating the case as a homicide investigation.

Thirty-nine-year-old John Skelton of Morenci has said he doesn't know the whereabouts of 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner, who were last seen with him. He told authorities he gave them to a group called United Foster Outreach and another called Underground Sanctuaries, organizations police say they can't locate.

Skelton already is jailed on parental kidnapping charges. A hearing on the new charges is scheduled March 9. Public defender John Glaser tells The Daily Telegram he needs time to review new police evidence before meeting with Skelton

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/02/23/1495174/kidnap-charges-added-against-dad.html

**Twiglet** Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:24 am

United Press International

24 February 2011

Dad of missing boys faces new charges‎

The father of three missing Michigan boys faces new charges of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment that carry a potential life sentence.

The charges against John Skelton were filed in Lenawee County, the Adrian (Mich.) Daily Telegram reported. Skelton had been charged with parental kidnapping.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/02/24/Dad-of-missing-boys-faces-new-charges/UPI-92301298599179/

**Twiglet** Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:24 am

Toledo On The Move

24 February 2011

Father of missing Morenci brothers names groups he says has sons‎

..... On Wednesday, Skelton told authorities that he gave his three boys to a group called "United Foster Outreach" and another group called "Underground Sanctuaries."

Authorities say they cannot locate those groups.

Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks has said that the investigation into the boys' disappearance is now a murder probe, with Skelton being a main suspect.

Skelton is scheduled to appear in court again on March 9.

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/neighborhood/story.aspx?id=585260

**Twiglet** Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:27 am

Detroit Free Press

25 February 2011

Father of missing Morenci boys faces possible life in prison‎

A Morenci man, accused in the disappearance of his three sons, now faces life in prison.

The Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office has added three charges each of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment against John Skelton, 39, whose sons have been missing since late November.

These are in addition to three counts of parental kidnapping he was already facing.

Prosecutor Jonathan Poer said today that the new kidnapping charges carry a penalty of up to life imprisonment. He said the new charges were added about a week ago after his office received additional reports from Morenci police.

Skelton’s pretrial hearing, which had been originally rescheduled for Feb. 23, has been postponed for March 9. He is accused in the disappearance of his sons Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton, ages 9, 7 and 5.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110225/NEWS06/110225031/Father-missing-Morenci-boys-faces-possible-life-prison?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

**Twiglet** Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:28 am

AZ Central

26 February 2011

Boys' dad faces life in prison; 3 missing since Nov.
Michigan man is accused in disappearance of his 3 sons

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/02/26/20110226missingboys0226.html

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:49 am

Adrian Daily Telegram

8 March 2011

Skelton boys reward fund auction planned‎

Items are being solicited for an upcoming auction to benefit the reward fund for the Skelton boys, who disappeared from Morenci in November.

The auction has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the Morenci High School gym, 788 E. Coomer St., according to a news release. The reward fund project, spearheaded by Mayor Keith Pennington, is intended to increase the amount of money available to those who come forward with information that results in the return or recovery of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton, or the successful prosecution of those responsible for their disappearances.

http://www.lenconnect.com/news/x868525584/Skelton-boys-reward-fund-auction-planned

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:52 am

WILX-TV

9 March 2011

Father of Missing Morenci Boys Due in Court‎
A pretrial hearing is set for John Skelton Wednesday morning.

A pretrial hearing is set in the criminal case against a southern Michigan man whose three young sons have been missing since Thanksgiving.
Thirty-nine-year-old John Skelton is to appear in an Adrian courtroom on Wednesday. The 39-year-old Morenci (mor-EN'-see) resident has said he doesn't know the whereabouts of 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner, who last were seen with him.
He told authorities he gave the boys to a group called United Foster Outreach and another called Underground Sanctuaries, organizations authorities say they can't locate.
Police in Morenci, near the Ohio border, are treating the case as a homicide investigation.
Skelton is charged with kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
Defense lawyer John Glaser has said he needs time to review police evidence in the matter.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Father_of_Missing_Morenci_Boys_Due_in_Court_117639823.html?ref=823

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:19 am

WILX-TV

9 March 2011

Skelton Case Remanded To District Court‎
Potential charges stem from case of three missing Morenci boys.

New charges against John Skelton of Morenci have been remanded to district court.
He is the father of three young boys who have not been seen since Thanksgiving.
He already faces several charges; Prosecutors want to add kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment charges.
Skelton earlier said he gave his sons, Andrew, Alexander and Tanner, to an organization; Police have found no evidence of this and are treating this as a homicide investigation.
Skelton will potentially have an arraignment hearing at a later date, which has not yet been set.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Skelton_Case_Remanded_To_District_Court_117646928.html

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:21 am

Detroit Free Press

10 March 2011

Missing Morenci boys' dad sent back to district court for new charges‎

A Morenci man accused in the disappearance of his three young sons was remanded to district court Wednesday to be arraigned on new charges.

John Skelton, 39, was initially charged with parental kidnapping, and his case advanced to Lenawee County Circuit Court. But last month, the Lenawee County Prosecutor's Office added three new counts of unlawful imprisonment and kidnapping, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison upon conviction.
Skelton appeared in circuit court for a pretrial hearing Wednesday but was remanded to district court for an arraignment and preliminary examination on the new charges. Dates for those hearings had not yet been set.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110310/NEWS06/103100494/Missing-Morenci-boys-dad-sent-back-district-court-new-charges

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:25 am

Detroit Free Press

10 March 2011

Father of missing Morenci boys to see new charges Friday‎

http://www.freep.com/article/20110310/NEWS06/110310025/Father-missing-Morenci-boys-see-new-charges-Friday?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

**Twiglet** Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:25 am

WKHM

10 March 2011

Skelton Facing More Charges‎

http://wkhm.com/pages/9373879.php?contentType=4&contentId=7800925

**Twiglet** Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:49 pm

Detroit Free Press

11 March 2011

Father of 3 missing boys arraigned on new charges, faces life in prison

A Morenci man accused in the disappearance of his three sons is now being held on $90 million bond after being arraigned on new charges in the case.

John Skelton, 39, was arraigned today on three counts each of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110311/NEWS06/110311029/Father-3-missing-boys-arraigned-new-charges-faces-life-prison

**Twiglet** Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:52 pm

The Detroit News

11 March 2011

$90M bond set for father of 3 missing boys‎

The father of three boys who have been missing since Thanksgiving was arraigned on additional charges today and is being held behind bars on $90 million bond.

John Skelton, 39, of Morenci was arraigned in Lenawee County District Court on charges including kidnapping that were added last month. He faces up to life in prison, if convicted, and is due back in court at 1 p.m. on March 28.

Lenawee County District Judge James Sheridan bumped up Skelton's bond by $60 million, or $10 million for each of the six new counts.

Skelton has said he doesn't know the whereabouts of 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner, who last were seen with him. He previously was charged with parental kidnapping and contempt of court for failing to turn over the boys in a custody dispute.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110311/METRO/103110425/1361/$90M-bond-set-for-father-of-3-missing-boys

**Twiglet** Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:22 pm

FOX Toledo Online

16 March 2011

Auction for missing brothers Saturday‎

..... An auction is planned for Saturday in Morenci. It is to raise reward money in hopes of bringing the boys home one way or another. In February Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks declared the boys' disappearance a homicide investigation and their father is the only suspect. But the case is far from closed.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/Auction-for-missing-brothers-Saturday

**Twiglet** Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:24 pm

WHTC

18 March 2011

Skelton To Appear In Court For Hearing Today‎

The father of three missing Morenci boys is scheduled to appear in court today. John Skelton is expected to appear for a divorce hearing with his estranged wife Tanya Skelton. The hearing will deal with custody, property and alimony issues.

http://whtc.com/news/articles/2011/mar/18/skelton-appear-court-hearing-today/

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