Father of Missing Michigan Boys Is Fighting Extradition

Dec. 1, 2010 — -- The father of the three young brothers who have been missing since Thanksgiving is fighting his extradition to Michigan where he will face charges of parental kidnapping, authorities announced today.

Morenci Police Cheif Larry Weeks said that John Skelton will have a hearing on Dec. 14 and is being held on a $3 million bond. He is fighting his extradition from Ohio to Michigan, where the alleged crimes are believed to have been committed.

Skelton was placed in police custody Tuesday after being released from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment following his failed suicide attempt.

"Information we have doesn't indicate [the case] will have a positive outcome," Weeks said again today. "But we continue to be be out and active in multiple areas."

The three young boys -- Andrew Skelton, 9; Alexander Skelton, 7; and Tanner Skelton, 5 -- have been missing since Thanksgiving.

Earlier this week new details emerged about the relationship between the boy's father and his wife, Tanya Skelton, it was revealed that a nasty custody battle may have led to the disappearance of the three brothers. The couple married eight years ago but decided to separate earlier this year. Both sought permanent custody of their three sons.

John Skelton argues that his wife is an "unfit parent," citing her status as a registered sex offender (she was convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old boy more than a decade ago), according to court documents. Tanya Skelton argues her husband's long absences as a truck driver make him an unfit parent.

Asked how Tanya Skelton is coping with her sons' disappearance, Weeks said, "Well, imagine your worst nightmare come true."

Now police are preparing to spend another day searching for the young boys who were at first believed to be with a woman named Joann Taylor, whom Skelton said he'd given the kids to in an attempt to shield them from his botched suicide attempt.

But police said Monday that Skelton had lied about having a relationhip with Taylor, and they question whether she even exists.

"We can confirm that there is no established relationship between [John Skelton] and the person he described as Joann Taylor," Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks said.

Skelton had told police that he'd handed his sons off to Taylor who was to return them to their mother on Thanksgiving evening.

Skelton had said he'd met Taylor and her husband a few years ago after he helped them when their car broke down, and then began e-mailing her, police said.

But confirming that Taylor even exists has been a challenge for authorities since the boys disappeared.

"A reported relationship between Mr. Skelton and Joann Taylor doesn't exist," Weeks said, adding that Skelton had lied during questioning.