Amber Alert issued for Spencer kids (Small town Iowa kids grabbed by parents - FOUND)

The Des Moines Register ^ | 12/11/03 | Register News Services

[Rightone]

Spencer, Ia. - An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday night after three children were reportedly nabbed out of the home of their grandparents by their parents, who lost custody the day before, Spencer police said.

The suspects are Samantha Pardue, 30, and John Davidson of Georgia, the parents of the children. Spencer police officials said temporary custody was granted to the children's grandparents the day before.

[Rightone]

This news clip came in overnight. Looks as if all is well:

12/12/2003
Three Children Abducted in Spencer Located in Georgia

Their prediction was correct. The Spencer Police Department says the three children abducted by their parents were found in the state of Georgia.

Mark Warburton was one of the officers working on the case.

He says the Spencer P-D received a call at 10:30 Thrusday night call from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation indicating the kids and their parents were located in White County, Georgia.

An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday night after Keith and Samantha Pardue took their three estranged children from their grandparent's home in Spencer.

Warburton says law enforcement in Georgia were instrumental in locating the kids.

The Georgia authorities were keeping a close watch in the Cleveland area and found the suspect pick-up at a family member's residence. Officers made entry into the home and all five were taken into custody.

Ten year old Ryan, 12 year old Starla and 6-year old Skyla were not harmed.

An ambulance was at the scene and medical personnel checked out the kids and all were okay.

Keith and Samantha Pardue were taken to the White County Georgia Sheriff's Department. The couple faces violation of a custodial order charges--a class D felony-- and will be extradited back to Iowa.

The children were placed in the care of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and will likely be reunited with their grandparents in Spencer.

Authorities wanted to thank the media in both states for its cooperation in getting the word out about the case.

[beezdotcom]

Hmm..the most important piece of info, why the parents lost custody, is missing.

Dunno...maybe they were being home-schooled?

[eyespysomething]

Can the headline be updated to reflect that the kids were found ok?

[trussell]

See post 41 for the update.

[Sandylapper]

Thanks, trussell! Prayer does work!

[davidosborne]

Yeah.. So far most of the alerts that have been issued were custody battle cases.. I hope this trend reverses.. otherwise the system will soon be ignored by the masses.. I am glad these kids were found and I trust they are doing well..

David C. Osborne

[luckystarmom]

My nine year old weighs much less than his 7 year old sister. She weighs 15 pounds over him. She has the asthma, and I think that contributes to why she weighs more. Most asthma medications make the person hungry.

[luckystarmom]

My nine year old only weighs 54 pounds, and believe me there was no smoking, drinking, or anything out of the norm during my pregnancy. He just doesn't eat much. He is super picky. He only puts on a couple of pounds a year. We've even asked the doctor several times about it, and the doctors don't seem concerned.

His 7 year old sister weighs 70 pounds. She is not a picky eater. She always wants seconds. She's always hungry.

[luckystarmom]

In California, no body wears socks and shoes in the house. I grew up in Texas, and you never take your shoes off except to go to bed.

It's certainly not neglect to take off shoes and socks in a house.

[luckystarmom]

Having asthma does not make someone frail. The "healthiest" kid in my house is tiny, 9 years old and only 54 pounds. He rarely gets sick.

His 7 year old little sister almost died when she was a baby, has horrible asthma, and use to catch every single cold you can imagine. She's 70 pounds. She just eats a ton, and he is picky.

[luckystarmom]

Your daughter sounds like my son. His head is always in a book. He barely eats anything, and he is rarely hungry.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks for the info..... I know nothing about asthma..... glad your children are healthy!

[trussell]

I wasn't pointing out weight as much as I was height. The 10 year old boy is only 2 inches taller than my 3 year old.

Some children are just small, yours sound like they are going to always be petite. I didn't mean to insult.

Merry Christmas.