NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation involving minor children, certain information is and will continue to be withheld to protect the innocent.
Near the end of August 2024, Fredonia Police Chief Jason Peterson received information regarding three minor children who had been reported missing since October 2022. It was suspected the father had orchestrated the disappearance and subsequent hiding of the children with the help of family members of the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saint (FLDS) faith. After searching for nearly two years, the three children were located in Fredonia, Arizona.
Chief Peterson coordinated with the other members of the Fredonia Police Department, Kanab City Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County SWAT, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigation and volunteers from the children’s family to plan and execute the retrieval of the children.
On September 1, 2024, officers from the above agencies retrieved the three minors, returned them to their mother and apprehended the children’s grandmother and aunt who appeared to be overseeing the children.
The Fredonia Police Department would like to thank all involved for their assistance. As of today, the children are safe with their mother as this investigation continues.
