In late August 2024, Fredonia Police Chief Jason Peterson received information about three minor children who had been missing since October 2022. Investigators suspected the father of orchestrating the children’s disappearance and subsequent hiding with the assistance of Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints (FLDS) family members. A nearly two-year search led to the discovery of the three children in Fredonia, Arizona.
Chief Peterson worked with 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 carry out the retrieval.
On September 1, 2024, officers from the aforementioned agencies caught the three minors, returned them to their mother, and apprehended the children’s grandmother and aunt, who looked to be looking after them.
The Fredonia Police Department would like to thank everyone for their help. As of today, the children are safe with their mother as the inquiry continues.
