The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office says a woman abducted her four children, and now the U.S. Marshals searching for her. A press release states:
The investigation began in early June 2019 when a woman identified as Melody Bannister, 34, of Stafford informed deputies that her four children were being abused by a family member.
A joint investigation with Stafford County law enforcement and Child Protective Services determined the allegations were unfounded. Shortly after the conclusion of the investigation, Bannister left Virginia with the children on a planned vacation and never returned.
In July 2019, the children’s father petitioned the Stafford County Juvenile Domestic & Relations Court for custody of the children. The courts issued an order granting the father custody. Bannister refused to return the children and subsequently petitioned the courts in Alabama requesting custody be issued to her there. The courts in Alabama heard the case and also ordered Bannister to return her children to their father back in Virginia. Bannister absconded from the state of Alabama with her four children and has not been seen since.
Bannister is currently wanted for one felony charge of Violation of a Court Order, four misdemeanor charges of Abduction, and one misdemeanor charge of Filing a False Police Report.
The children have been identified as Genevieve Bannister, 13; Janelle Bannister, 12; Vivienne Bannister, 11; and Peter Bannister, 7.
The U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children became involved in the investigation several months ago. Banister and the children were last seen on August 20th in Moulton, Alabama. Over the past several months, they have been seen at the locations listed below.
- Birmingham, Alabama – 35201
- Moulton, Alabama – 35650
- Greenville, South Carolina – 29601
- Shell Lake, Wisconsin – 54871 Madison, WI – 53701
- Spooner, WI – 54801
- Maryville, Tennessee – 37801
- Knoxville, Tennessee – 37901
- Lexington, Kentucky – 40502
- Leadville, CO – 80429
- Raleigh, NC – 27601
- Aransas Pass, TX – 78335
- Dallas, TX – 75201
- Corpus Christie, Texas – 78401
Recent developments in the investigation have led investigators to believe the children may now be in danger.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-926-8332.
