Three young boys from Morenci remained missing Saturday while police sought clues as to their whereabouts.According to an Amber Alert issued by the Morenci Police Department, the missing children are Tanner Lucas Skelton, 5; Alexander William Skelton, 7; and Andrew Ryan Skelton, 9.Police said Saturday they consider the brothers to be in extreme danger.Their father, John Skelton of Morenci, said he turned the boys over to someone named Joann Taylor to take to their mother on Friday, then attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself, according to Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks.John Skelton has been checked into a hospital in Ohio.Skelton called an acquaintance after his failed suicide attempt and the acquaintance took him to a medical center, Weeks said. During a press conference Saturday evening, Weeks added he’s not sure Joann Taylor even exists.“We cannot confirm that that person exists,” Weeks said.The boys’ mother, Tanya Skelton, also of Morenci, called police after the boys weren’t returned to her at 3 p.m. Friday as they were supposed to be, Weeks said.John and Tanya Skelton are married but separated, Weeks said.John Skelton told police that Joann Taylor lives in Hillsdale County or around Jackson, but police haven’t been able to find an address for her or her husband, whom John Skelton told police is named Mark Taylor.The Morenci Police Department, Michigan State Police, FBI and the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department are all involved in looking for the boys, Weeks said.John Skelton reportedly met Joann Taylor and her husband when their vehicle was broken down by the side of the road. He then reportedly maintained contact with her via the internet, Weeks said.At the press conference Saturday, Kathye Herrera, a neighbor and family friend of the Skeltons, said family members are “very distressed.”“The family is still hoping and praying,” Herrera said.The boys’ physical descriptions are:— Tanner: 3 feet 6 inches tall, 40 pounds, blue eyes and blond hair— Alexander: 3 feet 9 inches tall, 45 pounds, brown eyes and brown hair. He has a scar on his chin and a scar near his hairline.— Andrew: 4 feet tall, 57 pounds, brown eyes and brown hairAnyone with information on the boys or the Taylors is asked to call 911 or 458-7104.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Morenci police search for three brothers
Reporting by Staff Writer / The Daily Telegram
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