Va. Authorities Say Mom and 3 Kids Are Missing — But Husband Disputes That, Says He's Not 'Concerned'
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that Virginia mom Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook and her three kids were last seen on Sept. 5
Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Va
Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook and children, Benjamin Cook, Hannah Cook, and Elijah CookA mother and her three children are considered missing persons, according to Virginia authorities, but the woman’s husband said they aren't missing and that he has "no reason" to be concerned for their safety.
In an updated news release on Tuesday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook, 30, and her three children – Benjamin Cook, 7, Hannah Cook 5, and Elijah Cook, 2 – were last seen on Sept. 5 in Franklin County.
A missing persons investigation was launched eight days later after Lauren failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court on Sept. 13. The court appearance was re-scheduled after a previous court date on Sept. 5 that Lauren was not present for.
There was no mention of why Lauren was scheduled to appear in court, with the sheriff's office noting that "juvenile records are confidential."
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The sheriff’s office said that they reached out Lauren’s family members, who said they lost contact with Lauren and the kids a couple of days earlier. "There has been no reported contact with Lauren since September 5th or 6th, when she stated that she was in New York visiting family," police said.
On Sept. 14, investigators said that they confirmed that Lauren and the kids were in Litchfield, Illinois, noting that the family has connections in other states, per the sheriff’s office.
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Jordan Cook, Lauren’s husband and the father of their children, told ABC affiliate WSET-TV 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."
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When reached by email on Friday, Sgt. Megan Huston of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office told PEOPLE that in addition to her previously missed court dates, Lauren was not present for the family's latest scheduled appearance on Wednesday, but her husband was.
Huston said that Jordan, who has been cooperative with authorities, and Lauren’s mother told investigators that they "both received phone calls from Lauren" the morning of this week's scheduled 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, adding that phone pings since Sept. 7 have remained unsuccessful.
For now, the mom and her three kids will officially remain "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,” Huston told PEOPLE. "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. There must be an in-person, face-to-face meeting with a law enforcement officer.”
PEOPLE has not been able to reach Jordan Cook for comment.
The sheriff’s office is asking the public to contact them or law enforcement for information on the whereabouts of Lauren and her children.
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