Found Safe TX - Willow Sirmans, 14, Van Zandt County, 11 May 2020

[imstilla.grandma]

The Van Zandt County Sheriffs Office, through further investigation has discovered that Austen Walker, a person of interest in reference to the Amber Alert issued by the Van Zandt County Sheriffs Office, related to the disappearance of Willow Sirmans is believed to be driving a White 2012 Toyota Camry, displaying Texas License Plate LGH 9294. Also believed to be in the vehicle is a second person of interest, Courtney Odum, the owner of the White Toyota Camry. If anyone observes this vehicle, Willow Sirmans, Austen Walker or Courtney Odum they are asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, the Van Zandt County Sheriffs Office at 903-567-4133 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.
Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Austen Walker and Courtney Odum (Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office)
The VCSO has said it is prepared to file appropriate charges on anyone else assisting or harboring this child as well, under Texas penal Code 25.06 (Harboring a Runaway Child).
Amber Alert issued for 14-year-old Texas girl Willow Sirmans believed to be in grave or immediate danger


Texas Alerts (@TX_Alerts) | Twitter


Walker is believed to be driving a white 2012 Toyota Camry with a Texas license plate number: LGH9294.

UPDATE: Authorities issue AMBER ALERT for missing 14-year-old Van Zandt County girl


Police are looking for Austen Walker, a 21-year-old white male. He's described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair, green eyes, a tattoo on the left arm and a tattoo and scar on the right arm.

Walker was last heard from in Grand Saline.
Amber Alert Issued for 14-Year-Old Girl

 

[Rodnester]

Just got a 2and Ambert alert for Willow in the Dallas-Fort Woth area. They may be close to me.

 

[roche.analisa]

Just got a 2and Ambert alert for Willow in the Dallas-Fort Woth area. They may be close to me.

Me too, but it was just too add info about the car.

I do not feel good about this.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Tuesday it was reported to officials that Willow Sirmans, 14, had possibly left her home in Grand Saline, Texas with friends and traveled to either Chandler or Brownsboro, officials wrote on social media. At the time, the information provided didn’t meet the criteria to issue an Amber Alert, Van Zandt County officials said.

Late Wednesday night, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office posted an update with information about a person of interest in Willow’s disappearance.

“Austen Walker continues to be a person of interest in this case and is described as a White Male, 5’ 09” tall, 140 pounds with Brown Hair and Green Eyes,” officials wrote. “He has a Tattoo on both arms and a scar on the right arm.”

Anyone with information about Willow or Walker’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s at 903-567-4133 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

AMBER ALERT: Texas officials release photo of person interest in 14-year-old’s disappearance

 

[HIM_Darling]

A lot of disturbing posts on her different facebook pages about her "dating" older teens as far back as when she was 11 and "her mom doesn't care" and if anyone questioned it there was at least one person jumping on them saying "let her believe what she wants". I don't know if they were grooming her or they misunderstood her condition, because as far as I know dwarfism doesn't affect mental or hormonal development in that way, ie just because someone with dwarfism appears smaller in stature doesn't mean they are mentally child-like.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Whether someone is 11 or 14-years-old, they are a child, and a victim, if pursued by someone significantly older.

 

[wendybtn]

14 years old and 3 feet tall, 75 lbs?!

ETA: I originally thought this was an error, but the pictures suggest she may have a congenital condition that would account for her petite size.

Which makes me worry about missed medications and/or doctor's appointments.

 

[demetra]

Courtney’s FB:

https://m.facebook.com/courtney.odum.3

courtney worked with me for year in ogp at walmart she still comes in store to visit and shop twice or so a week. i just got on her butt for having the new baby in there the other day with all this covid stuff.

 

[Gigi3]

Well, this is very concerning. I hope she is located safe and very soon!

 

[WeAreWatching]

I couldn't help myself and had to send several messages to their facebooks accounts and on their public posts asking them where Willow is. These two will either produce her ASAP and say it wasn't a kidnapping, or she is dead and they likely will commit murder/suicide. IMO

I don't believe in happy endings any more in these situations

 

[chimpface]

This is so strange. What would be the reason for the abduction? According to AW's facebook he's married.

I'm wondering if this is some sick prank gone wrong.

 

[alyssa5597]

#BREAKING: Willow Sirmans has been located and is safe with law enforcement. She was found in Louisville, Kentucky, with Austen Walker. Walker was taken into custody.

KYTX CBS19 on Twitter

 

[Tinalar]

Missing Van Zandt County 14-year-old Willow Sirmans found safe

This article states the second POI was also taken into custody

 

[Jethro4WS]

Missing Van Zandt County 14-year-old Willow Sirmans found safe

This article states the second POI was also taken into custody

Adding a quote from that article ...

The sheriff’s office said a felony warrant for kidnapping was issued today for Austen Walker. Through the course of the investigation, authorities determined that Austen Walker and Willow Sirmans were in the company of Courtney Odum in a 2012 white Toyota Camry. This information was provided in the AMBER Alert and allowed authorities to locate Odum.

Authorities said after Odum was questioned by FBI Special Agents, it was confirmed that Austen Walker and Willow Sirmans were staying at a residence in the Louisville, KY area. This led to the operation that recovered Willow.

Both Austen Walker and Courtney Odum are in custody. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said more than 15 agencies came together as part of the joint investigation.​

 

[Dre]

This is so incredibly bizarre... so happy she can go home, I hope she’s doing okay!

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear she is safe now.

 

[SassySquatch]

Austen’s mug shot.

UPDATE: Officials release mugshot of Austen Walker, suspect in kidnapping of Van Zandt County teen

 

[evilwise]

These characters

 

[Rodnester]

UPDATE: 14-year-old Van Zandt County girl found safe, suspects arrested on kidnapping charges

This story is only going to get stranger.

"The Van Zandt County district attorney anticipates seeking additional arrest warrants and additional charges as the investigation progresses. "