Search ongoing for missing Idaho children as 'devoted mother' and new husband hire lawyer
An attorney representing an Idaho couple said he is in contact with the pair but has no information regarding the whereabouts or welfare of the woman's children, 7-year-old Joshua Vallow or 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.
A possible connection between the children's disappearance and a suspicious death has prompted police to ask for help in locating the newlywed couple.
The Rexburg Police Department is seeking Lori Vallow, the mother of the two missing children, and Chad Daybell, whose ex-wife was found dead Oct.19.
On Monday, according to the East Idaho News, attorney Sean Bartholick, of Rigby, Andrus & Rigby, issued a statement on the couple's behalf:
“Chad Daybell was a loving husband and has the support of his children in this matter. Lori Daybell is a devoted mother and resents assertions to the contrary. We look forward to addressing the allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor.”
Dangers: Tens of thousands of kids go missing each year
The death of Chad Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, has been ruled suspicious. After initially believing she died of natural causes in her home, investigators earlier this month conducted an autopsy, police said in a news release.
During the suspicious death investigation, authorities also began looking into the disappearance of Vallow's children.
“Investigators determined that within a couple weeks of (Tammy) Daybell’s death, her surviving husband, Chad Daybell, had married Rexburg resident, Lori Vallow, who is the mother of the missing children,” the release said.
Police spoke with Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell on Nov. 26 while attempting a welfare check on Joshua, who is adopted and has special needs. The couple told police the boy was staying with a family friend in Arizona, the release said, but police discovered that wasn't true.
When investigators used a search warrant at the couple's home the next day, police found the couple had "abruptly vacated their residence and left Rexburg." Police do not believe they took the boy with them, and authorities asked the FBI to help find him.
Further investigation revealed Joshua and his sister have not been seen since September, police said.
No charges have been filed against Daybell or Vallow in Idaho or Arizona, the East Idaho News said. So far, Rexburg Police have only indicated they want to talk with the couple to ensure the children are safe.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Rexburg Police or a local FBI office.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missing Idaho children could be linked to woman's death, police say
