FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA – The Franklin County Sheriff's Office says a mother and her three children are still missing, but her husband says he is not “concerned.”
30-year-old Lauren Cook, of Franklin County, and her kids — 7-year-old Benjamin, 5-year-old Hannah and 2-year-old Elijah — have been missing since September 5th.
The investigation started on September 13th after Cook did not appear for a scheduled court appearance in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, according to the sheriff's office.
This court date had already been rescheduled from a previous date of September 5th, since Cook did not show up then also.
Law enforcement contacted family members who said they had lost contact with the mother and her children several days prior.
Authorities said there has been no reported contact with Cook since September 5th or 6th, when she stated that she was in New York visiting family.
Her phone was last pinged in Lexington, but there has been no other cell phone activity or bank account activity from Cook since September 7th.
On September 14th, investigators confirmed that she and her children were in Litchfield, Illinois.
The family has connections in various other states, and it is suspected that they are not in Franklin County, the sheriff's office said.
Cook is married and lives with her husband, Jordan Cook, who shares custody of the kids.
“Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not 'missing,'” Jordan Cook told WSET. “I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and I'm sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our family's privacy be respected at this time.”
Sergeant Megan Huston, the Public Information Officer for the sheriff's office, wrote in a press release on Wednesday that the family is still considered missing.
“To clear Lauren and her children from being 'missing persons,' a law enforcement agency must make in-person contact with them in order to confirm that they are okay and not under duress. Until then, they will remain in local and national databases as 'missing,'” Huston wrote.
Cook is described as being 5 feet, 1 inch tall with long brown hair and brown eyes.
All of her children have blonde hair and Benjamin and Elijah have blue eyes and Hannah's are brown.
She may be driving a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.
Those with information about the family's whereabouts are urged to reach out to the sheriffs office at 540-483-3000.
ORIGINAL STORY
FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA – The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing woman and her three children.
30-year-old Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook, of Franklin County, and her kids — 7-year-old Benjamin, 5-year-old Hannah and 2-year-old Elijah — have been missing since September 5th.
Since then, communication efforts with the mother have been unsuccessful, according to the sheriff's office.
Cook is described as being 5 feet, 1 inch tall with long brown hair and brown eyes.
All of the children have blonde hair and Benjamin and Elijah have blue eyes and Hannah's are brown.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Lauren Cook and her children, they are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 540-483-3000.
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