A Virginia mother and her three young children have been missing for more than a week – but a frantic search was only launched after the first few crucial days, police said.
Lauren Cook, 30, and her children — 7-year-old Benjamin, 5-year-old Hannah and 2-year-old Elijah — disappeared without a trace on Sept. 5 after failing to show up at a family member’s home, according to Franklin County Police.
Loved ones spent days unsuccessfully trying to contact Cook before finally calling the police for help.
Deputies are still trying to piece together the case and are unsure if the four may be in danger.
Cook is married and lives with her husband, who shares custody of the three children, police said.
“A lot of times you see these situations where parents lose custody and take the kids and run away. This does not seem to be the case.,” Sgt. Megan Huston, the department’s public information officer, told The Post.
Police aren’t sure if the couple could have been involved in some kind of dispute that could have prompted Cook to flee.
There are also no records in Franklin County of any domestic violence between the couple or any 911 calls to their home.
Lauren Cook and her three children have been missing since September 5, police said. Standing Watch – Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County, Va/Facebook
“But they’re not from here so I can’t say if something has or hasn’t happened elsewhere, I don’t know that information,” Huston said.
“It’s a complex situation that we have limited details on.”
As the search for the missing family is suspended, police say it is unclear where they were last seen.
The mother and three children were supposed to go to a family member’s home but never showed up.Standing Watch – Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County, Va/Facebook
Loved ones have not been able to contact family since they disappeared.Standing Watch – Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County, Va/Facebook
Police say Cook and her husband share custody of the children and live together. Standing Watch – Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County, Va/Facebook
They’re probably out of state right now, maybe in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with a Virginia tag.
The puzzling case has drawn a huge community response, with various children’s advocacy groups across the state sharing images of the family in hopes of tracking them down.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
