Missing Skelton boys’ father lied about giving them to mystery woman (video)

Missing Skelton boys’ father lied about giving them to mystery woman (video)

Police continue to search for three missing Michigan boys who disappeared last week after their father attempted to kill himself Friday. He told authorities he gave them to an acquaintance he’d met on the Internet, however, police now say that’s a lie.

According to the Detroit News, police believe John Skelton, 39, drove his three boys -- Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 -- to northern Ohio prior to their disappearance.

Skelton gave authorities a different story, saying he gave the boys to Joann Taylor so she could take them to their mother, Tanya Skelton. Skelton said he sent the boys away because he did not want them in the house when he committed suicide. He claims he met Taylor on the Web only weeks ago.

CBS News reports that profiler Pat Brown said Skelton’s story was “the biggest bunch of bull I ever heard.”

She added “We’re talking about a man who he just wants the children to go back to the mother, so he can commit suicide… Why doesn’t he simply drive them over there and drop the children himself or have his mother do it?”

Skelton is now in a secured mental health facility as the search continues for the three boys.

Andrew is 4-feet-1 inch tall, weighs 57 pounds, and has brown eyes and hair. Alexander is 3-feet-9 inches tall, weighs 45 pounds, and has brown eyes and hair, and a scar at his hairline and on his chin. Tanner is 3-feet-6 inches tall, weighs 40 pounds, and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on the alleged victims, abductor or vehicle is asked to call 911 or the Morenci Police Department at (517) 263-0524.

To see a video report regarding the case, click on the player to the left of this article, or click here.

Want to read more Crime Examiner articles? Then subscribe to receive continuous updates as articles are published. You can also follow me on Twitter.