Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook and children, Benjamin Cook, Hannah Cook, and Elijah Cook.Photo:Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Va
Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Va
A Virginia mother and her three children have been removed from local and national missing persons databases, weeks after her husband said they weren’t missing and that hewasn’t “concerned” about their safety.
However, instead of returning to Franklin County, the sheriff’s office said they traveled to another state, “where they have decided to remain for the time being.”
“After not returning to their Franklin County home, limited contact with family, and then missing a court appearance, the circumstances met criteria to issue a missing persons alert for the family,” the department said.
“Since that alert was issued, law enforcement has been able to corroborate sightings of the family via surveillance footage and video calls to determine that they appear to be safe and not under any type of duress,” the sheriff’s office said in Tuesday’s statement.
The sheriff’s office said that the missing persons alert had been closed “because the elements of the investigation do not meet the criteria needed to extend a missing persons entry.”
“I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being,” he told the station. “I have heard from my wife, and I’m sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
The Virginia Department of Social Services and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment. PEOPLE has been unable to contact Jordan Cook.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The sheriff’s office thanked the public on Tuesday “for their assistance in spreading the word about any missing person cases, and for reporting any tips that may lead to the location of that person.”
The “end goal” is to “simply locate the individual to ensure that they are safe,” the agency added.
source: people.com
