MI TANNER, ALEXANDER, & ANDREW SKELTON: Missing from Morenci, MI - 26 Nov 2010 - Age 5, 7, & 9 (2 Viewers)

Alexander's photo is shown age-progressed to 15 years, Andrew's photo is shown age-progressed to 17 years, and Tanner's photo is shown age-progressed to 13 years. They were last seen on November 26, 2010. Alexander was last seen wearing black pajama pants and a grey shirt. Andrew was last seen wearing brown pajamas with orange trim. Tanner was last seen wearing camouflage pajama pants and a Scooby-Doo shirt.
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Tanner is missing with his brothers, Alexander and Andrew. Their mother, Tanya Lynn Zuvers Skelton, had filed for divorce from their father, John Russell Skelton, in September 2010 and had custody of the boys.

John took them for a court-ordered visitation over Thanksgiving, and never returned them. That last time anyone besides John saw them was at 5:00 p.m. on November 25, the day before their disappearances were reported.

John stated he gave the boys to a woman named Joann Taylor, whom he had met on the internet several years before, and asked her to return them to their mother. He said he did this because he planned to commit suicide and didn't want the boys to see it. He stated Joann was married to a pastor named Mark, drove a white or silver minivan and lived in either Hillsdale, Michigan or Jackson County, Michigan.

John attempted to hang himself later that day, but survived and was hospitalized, first at a general hospital and then at a psychiatric facility in Ohio.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for the Skelton brothers, but they could find no sign of them and no indication that Joann Taylor even existed. Police said they believed the boys were in "grave danger." They said they believed John's story about Joann Taylor was fictitious and something else caused the Skelton children's disappearances.

Investigators stated they were investigating the disappearances as homicides, and John was the prime suspect. They said John's blue Dodge Caravan was on the Ohio Turnpike, along the Michigan-Ohio border, between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. on November 26, and asked anyone who saw it to come forward. It has the Michigan license plate number 9JQ H93.

John has stated his children are still alive but will never be returned as long as their mother has custody of them. His relatives and Tanya don't believe he would have harmed them.

NCMEC -

Have you seen this child? TANNER SKELTON

Missing From: MORENCI, MI. Missing Date: 11/26/2010. Alexander's photo is shown age-progressed to 15 years, Andrew's photo is shown age-progressed to 17 years, and Tanner's photo is shown age-progressed to 13 years. They were last seen on November 26, 2010. Alexander was last seen wearing...

api.missingkids.org

NamUs -

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Charley Project -

Tanner Lucas Skelton – The Charley Project

edited by staff to add media link

TANNER, ALEXANDER, & ANDREW SKELTON are still missing from Morenci, MI since 26 Nov 2010. They were last seen with their father!

Tanner is missing with his brothers, Alexander and Andrew. Their mother, Tanya Lynn Zuvers Skelton, had filed for divorce from their father, John Russell Skelton, in September 2010 and had custody of the boys. John took them for a court-ordered...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Mother seeks closure as trial for Skelton brothers' legal status to begin Monday

Their father, John Skelton, is serving a prison sentence until Nov. 29.

www.wtol.com

Mother seeks closure as trial for Skelton brothers' legal status to begin Monday​

On Monday, March 3, a significant trial will take place during which an attempt will be made to declare Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton legally dead.

This trial, requested by their mother, Tanya Zuvers, aims to bring closure to a case that has haunted the Morenci, Michigan, community for over a decade. The hearing, initially set for October, was postponed due to illness and is now anticipated by those who have followed the tragic story of the Skelton brothers.

Zuvers, the mother of the Skelton brothers, is seeking to have her sons legally declared dead to bring some closure to a case that has remained unresolved for over a decade. The boys went missing in 2010, and despite extensive searches and investigations, they have never been found.

Zuvers has stated that this decision was incredibly difficult and did not come lightly. She hopes that by having the boys declared legally dead, she can begin to find some peace and move forward, even though the pain of losing her children will never fully go away.

This legal declaration is also a way to formally acknowledge the boys' absence and the impact it has had on their family and the community.


John Skelton was arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful imprisonment. In 2011, he was convicted and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison.

Despite being eligible for parole several times, he has been denied each time, with the Michigan Parole Board recently voting to permanently deny it.

His maximum sentence is set to expire on Nov. 29, 2025.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Just disgusting that he will be out this year.

 

[kdg411]

 

[Kimster]

Just disgusting that he will be out this year.

I totally agree. Once the bodies are found, they can go back for a murder charge though. May they be found before November!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I totally agree. Once the bodies are found, they can go back for a murder charge though. May they be found before November!

I'll send up prayers for that!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Three Michigan brothers missing since 2010 are declared dead by a judge at mom’s request

The small-town tragedy remains unsolved despite a firm belief by investigators that the father is responsible.

www.mlive.com

Three Michigan brothers missing since 2010 are declared dead by a judge at mom’s request​

A judge declared three Michigan brothers dead Wednesday, more than 14 years after they disappeared at Thanksgiving in a small-town tragedy that remains unsolved despite an explicit belief by investigators that their father is responsible.

Lenawee County Judge Catherine Sala granted a request by Tanya Zuvers, the mother of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton.

“This is a case of terrible and longstanding impact on the community of Lenawee,” Sala said. “No condolences will ever be enough for such loss suffered.”

But at the same time, the judge rejected a request to also acknowledge that the boys' father, John Skelton, murdered the children.

“To make such a finding, the court would only be joining those voices offering such speculation and theory given the lack of information,” Sala said.

The boys are presumed dead as of Nov. 26, 2015, five years after their disappearance, a key threshold in Michigan law, the judge said.

Skelton, 53, has not been charged with killing his sons. By November, he is expected to complete a 15-year prison sentence for his failure to return the boys to Zuvers, the only conviction so far.

Zuvers testified Monday that a formal declaration of death would give her closure and provide “respect” to the boys, who were 9, 7 and 5 in 2010.



Skelton declined to participate in the hearing to have his sons declared dead.

“Anything I say isn’t going to make a difference,” he said Monday by video conference from prison.

 

[Guess Who]

I totally agree. Once the bodies are found, they can go back for a murder charge though. May they be found before November!

Declaring them dead now also means it will be easier to file murder charges if not found.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hmm.

Maybe it's time they take whatever evidence they have and charge. And yes, they are now declared dead.

I don't think most of us in the public have much doubt as to who did this. Killed them. Mom doesn't, pretty sure LE doesn't. That's not the same as a jury, a case and a conviction BUT it does say most can see it and for good reason.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Father of 3 Michigan boys missing since 2010 to be released from prison

John Skelton, the father of three boys who have been missing for 15 years, is set to be released later this month.

www.cbsnews.com

Father of 3 Michigan boys missing since 2010 to be released from prison​

John Skelton, the father of three boys who have been missing for 15 years, is set to be released later this month.

According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Skelton will be released from the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility on Nov. 29. His earliest release was Nov. 29, 2020.

Skelton has not been charged with killing his sons, but was serving a 15-year sentence for his failure to return the boys, the only conviction against him. He was charged with three counts of unlawful imprisonment and pleaded no contest.

 

[Guess Who]

Father of 3 Michigan boys missing since 2010 to be released from prison

John Skelton, the father of three boys who have been missing for 15 years, is set to be released later this month.

www.cbsnews.com

Father of 3 Michigan boys missing since 2010 to be released from prison​

John Skelton, the father of three boys who have been missing for 15 years, is set to be released later this month.

According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Skelton will be released from the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility on Nov. 29. His earliest release was Nov. 29, 2020.

Skelton has not been charged with killing his sons, but was serving a 15-year sentence for his failure to return the boys, the only conviction against him. He was charged with three counts of unlawful imprisonment and pleaded no contest.

Will they be waiting to charge him with more crimes right at release time? We can hope.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Will they be waiting to charge him with more crimes right at release time? We can hope.

Unfortunately I don't think they have anything else to charge him with yet. But I hope so. Running out of time.

 

[Kimster]

Is it OK if I hope society is really rough on him and makes him miserable?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Will they be waiting to charge him with more crimes right at release time? We can hope.

You spoke it into being!

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci more than a decade ago is now charged with homicide open murder.

www.13abc.com

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges​

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci in Lenawee County more than a decade ago is now facing homicide charges, just weeks before he was slated to be released from prison.

Prosecutors have filed three counts of homicide open murder and three counts of tampering against John Skelton, court filings show.

The charges come about 15 years after the disappearance of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. The boys were ages 9, 7 and 5 at the time of their disappearance.

John Skelton was just weeks away from his scheduled released from prison after serving his full sentence on an unlawful imprisonment charge in connection to the case. He was initially slated to be released on Nov. 29, 2025.

A Lenawee County judge granted a request to declare the siblings legally dead just earlier this year. Tanya Zuvers, the siblings’ mother, said she made the request for a death declaration to find closure and out of respect for her sons.

 

[Guess Who]

You spoke it into being!

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci more than a decade ago is now charged with homicide open murder.

www.13abc.com

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges​

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci in Lenawee County more than a decade ago is now facing homicide charges, just weeks before he was slated to be released from prison.

Prosecutors have filed three counts of homicide open murder and three counts of tampering against John Skelton, court filings show.

The charges come about 15 years after the disappearance of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. The boys were ages 9, 7 and 5 at the time of their disappearance.

John Skelton was just weeks away from his scheduled released from prison after serving his full sentence on an unlawful imprisonment charge in connection to the case. He was initially slated to be released on Nov. 29, 2025.

A Lenawee County judge granted a request to declare the siblings legally dead just earlier this year. Tanya Zuvers, the siblings’ mother, said she made the request for a death declaration to find closure and out of respect for her sons.

Had a feeling that would hopefully happen.

 

[GrandmaBear]

You spoke it into being!

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci more than a decade ago is now charged with homicide open murder.

www.13abc.com

Father of missing Morenci boys now facing homicide charges​

The father of three boys who disappeared from Morenci in Lenawee County more than a decade ago is now facing homicide charges, just weeks before he was slated to be released from prison.

Prosecutors have filed three counts of homicide open murder and three counts of tampering against John Skelton, court filings show.

The charges come about 15 years after the disappearance of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. The boys were ages 9, 7 and 5 at the time of their disappearance.

John Skelton was just weeks away from his scheduled released from prison after serving his full sentence on an unlawful imprisonment charge in connection to the case. He was initially slated to be released on Nov. 29, 2025.

A Lenawee County judge granted a request to declare the siblings legally dead just earlier this year. Tanya Zuvers, the siblings’ mother, said she made the request for a death declaration to find closure and out of respect for her sons.

AWESOME. Imo I've felt for a long time they may as well try the case as it's been so long they aren't going to get more evidence than they have and letting too much time elapse can be a detriment in many ways.

 

[Guess Who]

Can you imagine the look of surprise he possibly had when he thought he was on the verge of going home?

He has no reason now to not divulge where the boys are, dead or alive. A bargaining tool, either way. If alive, there is no reason to not say where they are as they are adults now and can make the choice freely if they want to see family but give him a bargaining tool to produce them. If dead, use it for leverage to tell what he did with them. Either way, this is the time to talk.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think he'll talk. He will take his chances at trial imo. Sadly.

A good thing though is he now should be imprisoned hopefully until trial.

 

[Kimster]

This is great news! LE must've been taken their time gathering as much evidence as possible before needing to charge him with murder. It's finally happening!

 

[Sunburst]

This is great news! LE must've been taken their time gathering as much evidence as possible before needing to charge him with murder. It's finally happening!

Not only is he being charged with 3 counts of murder, he is also being charged with 3 counts of evidence tampering. So glad they finally are bringing charges!!!!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Extremely high bond!

Michigan man charged with killing sons in 2010 held on $60 million bond

John Skelton is now charged with killing his three sons 15 years after they disappeared.

www.wilx.com

Michigan man charged with killing sons in 2010 held on $60 million bond​

John Skelton, the man now charged with killing his three sons 15 years after they disappeared, is being held on $60 million bond.

Skelton was charged last week and arraigned Monday on three counts each of open murder and tampering with evidence. He remains lodged at the Lenawee County Jail, according to Michigan State Police.

Authorities say Skelton remains “uncooperative” with investigators, having last been interviewed on Nov. 3


A probable cause affidavit regarding Skelton’s most recent charges does not specifically address what new information led to the open murder charges. The document does, however, say Skelton has continued to mislead investigators.

“The most recent interview with John Skelton was conducted on November 3rd, 2025, and Skelton continues to be uncooperative and failed to provide investigators with any information to locate his missing sons,” the affidavit says.

“In the fifteen years that have passed since the disappearance of the three Skelton boys, investigators have searched exhaustively for the missing children with nil results,” the affidavit says. “The ‘underground sanctuary’ has also been extensively investigated, and no such organization has been found to exist.”