Mom of Va. Woman Missing with 3 Kids 'Deeply Concerned' Despite Comments Made by Daughter’s Husband
Lauren Cook and her three kids were last seen on Sept. 5 — but her husband previously said he had "no reason to be concerned about their safety"
Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Va
Mother Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook, and children, Benjamin Cook, Hannah Cook, and Elijah Cook are considered missing per authorities.The mother of Lauren Cook — a Virginia mom who is missing alongside her three young children, according to authorities — said she is concerned about her daughter and her grandchildren, despite earlier comments made by her daughter's husband.
"We are deeply concerned for our daughter Lauren, and our grandchildren Benjamin, Hannah, Elijah and our unborn grandchild," Lisa Tousa, Lauren Cook’s mother, said in comments to Today that were published Saturday.
Tousa added: "We want them all to know we love them and are here for them and want to help bring them to safety.”
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Lauren, 30, and her three kids Benjamin, 7, Hannah, 5, and Elijah 2, were last seen in Franklin County on Sept. 5, said the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. On that date, Lauren missed a scheduled court appearance in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.
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Authorities said a missing persons investigation was initiated after Lauren did not appear for her rescheduled court appearance on Sept. 13. It is not immediately clear why Lauren was due in court and police have said that "juvenile records are confidential."
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that they had reached out to Lauren’s family, who said they had lost contact with Lauren several days prior, per the news release. "There has been no reported contact with Lauren since September 5th or 6th, when she stated that she was in New York visiting family," authorities said.
Investigators later confirmed that Lauren and the kids had been in Litchfield, Illinois, the sheriff's office said.
Lauren’s husband and the children’s father, Jordan Cook, told ABC affiliate WSET last week that "contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not 'missing.'"
"I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being," he told the outlet. "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."
In a statement with PEOPLE shared on Friday, Sgt. Megan Huston of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that in addition to her previously missed court dates, Lauren was not present for the family's recent scheduled appearance on Sept. 20. However, her husband was in attendance.
Huston said that Jordan and Lauren’s mother told investigators that they "both received phone calls from Lauren" the morning of that court appearance. "The phone calls were simply to let them know that her and the kids were okay but did not disclose a location," Huston said.
When contacted on Monday for updates on the case, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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The sergeant added that until Lauren and the kids appear in person to a law enforcement officer, they are still regarded as missing.
“Lauren and the three children will remain in local and national databases as 'missing' until a law enforcement agency is able to lay eyes on them to ensure that they are okay and not under any duress,” said Huston. “This is the typical protocol for when someone is entered in as missing. A reported phone call, phone ping, photo, video, audio, etc. is not sufficient to clear the missing persons alert out of the system."
Huston also said that Jordan has been cooperative in the matter and attending scheduled court dates.
PEOPLE has been unable to contact Lisa Tousa and Jordan Cook.
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