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Officials: Kidnappers have family in Atmore area

The Washington Parish, La. Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating four kidnapped children and their kidnappers, according to officials.

Sheriff Randy Seal said in a news release that Joshua Abelseth and Jennifer Abelseth, who lost custody of their children through court order, took the children from their grandparents’ home in Washington Parish and are believed to have fled the state.

“The last known sighting was in Alabama, in the general area of Tuscaloosa or Birmingham,” Seal said. “It is not known if they are still in that area or if they were passing through.”

The kidnapped children are Alyssa Weathers, Noah Weathers, Cayden Abelseth and Lili Abelseth.

Chief Deputy Mike Haley said the kidnappers have family in the Atmore area.

Those with knowledge of the whereabouts of Joshua and Jennifer Abelseth or any of the children, they are asked to call the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-839-3434.

“It is critical that we locate these children and have them safely returned. Please help us if you have any knowledge about their actual or possible location so that our investigative division can follow up,” Seal said.