Recovered/Located VA - Lauren Cook, 30, & 3 children 7,5 & 2. Maybe travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van, Franklin County, 5 Sept 2023

[abbyrdpsu]

This is the first I've seen of this case, and one thing I haven't seen addressed is this: Are the older children enrolled in school?

Great question. If not, truancy proceedings would be a good explanation for the court dates.

 

[Simply Southern]

LE has located her? But hasn't been able to communicate with her? What? What does that even mean? They know where she is but somehow she's insulated?

I hope this story somehow has a positive, safe, happy outcome. For LC and all four of her babies.

Jmo

Could of been license plate reader picked up the vehicle or someone may have called in a sighting.

 

[Simply Southern]

@Megnut
....
Kenny Ryker, Chief of Police for the Litchfield Police Department, said they were contacted on September 14 and advised that the family was suspected to be in Litchfield.

Officers said they conducted a search with no luck. They determined the family had been in Litchfield for one night before departing on September 13.

Franklin Co. missing family not found in Litchfield, Illinois

It’s been more than two weeks since Lauren Cook and her three kids disappeared after a missed court appearance in Franklin County.

www.wsls.com

 

[Jurisprudence]

No I don't think she's fine. I believe she's on the run from whatever the J and D charge is.

Well, that post meant as in alive. Were they in danger of losing the kids? Is this what you'remight have started this?

jmo

 

[ConcernedVA]

Unless something has drastically changed recently, this area is not one of those places with aggressive CPS. If it’s a school enrollment/homeschooling type issue, that would be easily worked out with local officials. It could be the reason for the court dates, but it would be unreasonable for her to take off because of something like that.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Unless something has drastically changed recently, this area is not one of those places with aggressive CPS. If it’s a school enrollment/homeschooling type issue, that would be easily worked out with local officials. It could be the reason for the court dates, but it would be unreasonable for her to take off because of something like that.

I agree. I can't anyone running over something as minor as that.

jmo

 

[mpnola]

They were possibly seen on Walmart video or something.

I think the court was not truancy, having missed court already before Sept. 5. School just started. My guess (just guess) is something with weed or neglect of some sort or dwi.

I also get that weed is legalized places, but kids should not be around that. Children deserve a non-impaired parent to drive and care for them.

 

[Simply Southern]

Unless something has drastically changed recently, this area is not one of those places with aggressive CPS. If it’s a school enrollment/homeschooling type issue, that would be easily worked out with local officials. It could be the reason for the court dates, but it would be unreasonable for her to take off because of something like that.

There are numerous homeschool groups in this area. I would think she would reach out to them for help, if school related.

Virginia is supportive of homeschool, even offered a free online program long before COVID.

I don't think it would be school related.

I know, small town southerners may have a reputation for hunting down folks, but I don't see this small community going after a school truancy issue.

They are, however, required by law to report any and all missing children with in 2 hours to VA State Police. The law is very specific, requiring VSP to open and immediate investigation. No wiggle room...

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter17/section15.2-1718.1/

....

Upon receipt of a missing child report by any police or sheriff's department, the department shall immediately, but in all cases within two hours of receiving the report, enter identifying and descriptive data about the child into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and the National Crime Information Center Systems, forward the report to the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse within the Department of State Police, notify all other law-enforcement agencies in the area, and initiate an investigation of the case.

 

[abbyrdpsu]

I agree. I can't anyone running over something as minor as that.

jmo

Although truancy, especially in young children, is often just the tip of the iceberg once a child welfare agency starts looking closer.

 

[Simply Southern]

Well, that post meant as in alive. Were they in danger of losing the kids? Is this what you'remight have started this?

jmo

Well, something has triggered her to take the children and go incognito. Even with all the national press, she still refuses to produce the children for verification.

The husband is not speaking with police, the mother in Charlotte, NC would not address their relationship.

Moo...it's pretty serious, whatever the reason.

 

[Simply Southern]

Although truancy, especially in young children, is often just the tip of the iceberg once a child welfare agency starts looking closer.

This is a small farming, lake community. Folks help each other out, you can find someone to connect with no matter your beliefs. I just don't see DSS targeting a family without cause. Well first of all, DSS will need enough documentation to obtain a warrant and court date. DSS can only obtain if she has broken a law.

Moo...

 

[Simply Southern]

OMG I'm really worried, the ENTIRE Family was due in court. This sounds serious, were they going to take the children? Why would the entire family need to appear?

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office provides update on missing mom, her three children

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is providing more details about a family that has been missing for more than two weeks.

www.wsls.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va, – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is providing more details about a family that has been missing for more than two weeks.

Lauren Cook and her three kids — 2-year-old Elijah, 5-year-old Hannah, and 7-year-old Benjamin Cook — all went missing around Sept. 7. Authorities told 10 News that their disappearance came after a missed court appearance, which was originally scheduled for Sept. 5.
...
At one point, law enforcement believed they were in Litchfield, Illinois, but this week authorities said they determined that the family had since left the area. It appears that they had only been in Litchfield for one night before leaving on Sept. 13.
....
The sheriff’s office said the family was due in court on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The husband was present but Cook and her children were not there.

The husband and Cook’s mother claim that Lauren contacted them both the morning of court, letting them know that she and the kids were safe, according to authorities. However, she did not share where she was.
We’re told law enforcement officers have been unable to ping Cook’s phone since Sept. 7.

 

[cocomod]

I wonder if it is a medical issue. You know that sometimes parents refuse to do something that a doctor has said is necessary for a child. For example, in Utah, there was a parent that refused chemo for a child and the doctor took them to court claiming child neglect for refusing the doctor's recommended treatment for cancer. The parent did refuse and the state stepped in and tried to force them in to a medical treatment the parents didn't want. They wanted to try the alternate route. Could it possibly be the same issue here? Maybe the father agrees with this decision and that is why he is shielding the wife running...

 

[AndrewM71]

I wonder if it is a medical issue. You know that sometimes parents refuse to do something that a doctor has said is necessary for a child. For example, in Utah, there was a parent that refused chemo for a child and the doctor took them to court claiming child neglect for refusing the doctor's recommended treatment for cancer. The parent did refuse and the state stepped in and tried to force them in to a medical treatment the parents didn't want. They wanted to try the alternate route. Could it possibly be the same issue here? Maybe the father agrees with this decision and that is why he is shielding the wife running...

It could be something like that, although it wouldn’t necessitate taking all three kids. Of course, people don’t always make logical decisions.

I do think the wife and husband are on the same page, and at the very least in indirect communication.

 

[Jurisprudence]

LE has located her? But hasn't been able to communicate with her? What? What does that even mean? They know where she is but somehow she's insulated?

I hope this story somehow has a positive, safe, happy outcome. For LC and all four of her babies.

Jmo

I agree. If no LE agency has been able lay eyes on her, and her own mother is fearful for her, they haven't located her imo. No bank cards, nothing have been used. So, if someone "told" LE she was there after the 5th, that to me is not locating her. It's a lead, which could also be a lie.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

They were possibly seen on Walmart video or something.

I think the court was not truancy, having missed court already before Sept. 5. School just started. My guess (just guess) is something with weed or neglect of some sort or dwi.

I also get that weed is legalized places, but kids should not be around that. Children deserve a non-impaired parent to drive and care for them.

Being seen on a video would work. But, I think they would have reported this. I don't think I'll believe the reports of her confirmed location as accurate until they tell us "how."

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

OMG I'm really worried, the ENTIRE Family was due in court. This sounds serious, were they going to take the children? Why would the entire family need to appear?

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office provides update on missing mom, her three children

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is providing more details about a family that has been missing for more than two weeks.

www.wsls.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va, – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is providing more details about a family that has been missing for more than two weeks.

Lauren Cook and her three kids — 2-year-old Elijah, 5-year-old Hannah, and 7-year-old Benjamin Cook — all went missing around Sept. 7. Authorities told 10 News that their disappearance came after a missed court appearance, which was originally scheduled for Sept. 5.
...
At one point, law enforcement believed they were in Litchfield, Illinois, but this week authorities said they determined that the family had since left the area. It appears that they had only been in Litchfield for one night before leaving on Sept. 13.
....
The sheriff’s office said the family was due in court on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The husband was present but Cook and her children were not there.

The husband and Cook’s mother claim that Lauren contacted them both the morning of court, letting them know that she and the kids were safe, according to authorities. However, she did not share where she was.
We’re told law enforcement officers have been unable to ping Cook’s phone since Sept. 7.

They changed the missing date from the 5th to the 7th. Is this related to them confirming her in Illinois? They make reference to Illinois (below) on the 13th - 8 days after she and the children disappeared.

From your link: "At one point, law enforcement believed they were in Litchfield, Illinois, but this week authorities said they determined that the family had since left the area. It appears that they had only been in Litchfield for one night before leaving on Sept. 13."

So, who saw her? Why won't they say?

Whatever it is that she was supposed to appear for it doesn't look like there would be an avenue to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/jdr/jdrinfo.pdf

And, the fact that they still have her as "missing" as opposed to "fleeing" or in contempt for disregarding a summons to appear, leads me to believe LE might not be so convinced she was in Litchfield. It's strange. I don't know.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

Could of been license plate reader picked up the vehicle or someone may have called in a sighting.

Hopefully they are looking for that vehicle.

 

[restarea]

They changed the missing date from the 5th to the 7th. Is this related to them confirming her in Illinois? They make reference to Illinois (below) on the 13th - 8 days after she and the children disappeared.

From your link: "At one point, law enforcement believed they were in Litchfield, Illinois, but this week authorities said they determined that the family had since left the area. It appears that they had only been in Litchfield for one night before leaving on Sept. 13."

So, who saw her? Why won't they say?

Whatever it is that she was supposed to appear for it doesn't look like there would be an avenue to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/jdr/jdrinfo.pdf

And, the fact that they still have her as "missing" as opposed to "fleeing" or in contempt for disregarding a summons to appear, leads me to believe LE might not be so convinced she was in Litchfield. It's strange. I don't know.

jmo

Police have confirmed Lauren called her mother and husband so it might be a situation where they traced those calls to the area and then obtained nearby security camera footage. They put out a statement saying videos and phone calls are not enough to remove someone from the missing list. The protocol is waiting until there is a face to face meeting with an officer.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Police have confirmed Lauren called her mother and husband so it might be a situation where they traced those calls to the area and then obtained nearby security camera footage. They put out a statement saying videos and phone calls are not enough to remove someone from the missing list. The protocol is waiting until there is a face to face meeting with an officer.

This says she called her mother on the morning of 9/5. "The husband and Cook’s mother claim that Lauren contacted them both the morning of court, letting them know that she and the kids were safe, according to authorities. However, she did not share where she was."

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office provides update on missing mom, her three children

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is providing more details about a family that has been missing for more than two weeks.

www.wsls.com

The mother has heard nothing from her since September 5, 2023, 17 days ago. That's why I'm not convinced. I hope @Simply Southern is right. I hope she's on the run with the kids. But, there are other red flags here, particularly with her spouse not speaking out for days when we now know from the linked article that he was apparently in court that day and by his very presence, knew she and the kids were not. Unless, they had separate times for appearance? The protocol, I'd guess, is also to wait for a face to face in-person identification for proof of life.

jmo