On Tuesday morning the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office announced that a missing woman and her three children had been removed from the missing persons databases. Lauren Cook and her three children – Benjamin, Hannah, and Elijah – have been removed from the local and national missing persons databases.
Over Labor Day weekend, the Cook family reportedly traveled to New York on a pre-arranged trip. It was reported that they did not return to Franklin County after that trip and instead traveled to another state where they have decided to remain for the time being. After not returning to their Franklin County home, limited contact with family, and then missing a court appearance, the circumstances met criteria to issue a missing persons alert for the family.
Since that alert was issued, law enforcement has been able to corroborate sightings of the family via surveillance footage and video calls to determine that they appear to be safe and not under any type of duress.
Considering the totality of circumstances and confirming with the original complainant, the missing persons alert is now closed because the elements of the investigation do not meet the criteria needed to extend a missing persons entry.