Missing Alabama Children Found Safe in Cheyenne

Two children who police in Decatur, Alabama reported missing on Wednesday are safe after being found with their wanted mother and stepfather at a Cheyenne motel Thursday morning.

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Timeline of Events

According to a Decatur Police Department Facebook post, on Jan. 24, the department received a report of child abuse from the Morgan County Department of Human Resources.

A detective with the department’s Family Services Unit was assigned to the case and began an investigation.

During the investigation, temporary custody of 9-year-old Lily Gray and her brother, 5-year-old Caden Gray, was given to a family member in Toney, Alabama.

Mother Flees With Children

Sometime on Monday, their mother, Leanna Varcoe, went to the family member’s house, took the children, and fled.

On Wednesday, it was discovered that Leanna Varcoe may have fled the state with the children.

It was unknown at that time if their stepfather, Zachery Varcoe, was with them.

Warrants Obtained

After meeting with the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained an interference of custody warrant for Leanna Varco, and based on evidence, a warrant for child abuse was obtained for Zachery Varcoe.

Due to the allegations of child abuse, it was believed the children may be in danger, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued an Emergency Missing Child Alert.

Located at Cheyenne Motel

Detectives determined that the couple was driving through Cheyenne, and at about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Cheyenne Police located the couple and their children at the Sands Motel at 1022 W. Lincolnway.

"After officers approached their room, the couple surrendered, and both children were taken into protective custody," the department in a news release Thursday afternoon said.

The Varcoes are currently being held in the Laramie County Detention Center awaiting extradition back to Morgan County, Alabama.