MARYSVILLE, Wash. --Marysville police say a man and woman who took their three children with them to avoid police and Child Protective Services have been tracked to a small town in western Montana.
An Amber Alert remains in effect as police search for 29-year-old Ashley Lynn-Nichole Todd and 33-year-old Curtis R. Drakeford, who police believe left the Marysville area with their three young kids. The children are 9-year-old Kali L. Drakeford, 8-year-old Ashton Z. Drakeford and 6-year-old Cursten K. Drakeford.
Investigators were able to confirm the Drakefords were in the city of Deer Lodge, Montana as late as 10:15 a.m. Wednesday morning and are likely heading east on I-90. Detectives believe they are still driving their 1998 Silver Pontiac Grand Am with Washington license plate AGJ-9693.
Marysville police and CPS officials tried to find the family on Tuesday after getting a tip that they might be heading to South Carolina, which would be a violation of custody orders.
Earlier Wednesday morning, officials said the parents may have been spotted in Moses Lake, Wash. A gas station attendant there reported seeing the parents after watching a report about the Amber Alert on the news, according to police.
The children are currently dependents of the state, but were placed with Todd on a temporary basis as part of a special program. She was only allowed the kids under the condition that Curtis Drakeford wasn't present at any time, officials said.
"CPS did learn that the father was in the home and was in the process of revoking that program when the parents fled with the children," said Robb Lamoureux of the Marysville Police Department.
CPS officials say they're concerned for the safety of the kids because Curtis Drakeford was charged with molesting young children in 2010 and is being investigated for punching his own kids.
The parents also have a history of domestic violence and currently have restraining orders out against each other, according to police.
Curtis Drakeford is black, stands 5'11" tall and weighs 240 pounds. Todd is white, has brown hair, is 5'5" tall and weighs 220 pounds. The family is believed to be driving a 1998 Silver Pontiac Grand Am with Washington license plate AGJ9693.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 360-363-8300.
An Amber Alert remains in effect as police search for 29-year-old Ashley Lynn-Nichole Todd and 33-year-old Curtis R. Drakeford, who police believe left the Marysville area with their three young kids. The children are 9-year-old Kali L. Drakeford, 8-year-old Ashton Z. Drakeford and 6-year-old Cursten K. Drakeford.
Investigators were able to confirm the Drakefords were in the city of Deer Lodge, Montana as late as 10:15 a.m. Wednesday morning and are likely heading east on I-90. Detectives believe they are still driving their 1998 Silver Pontiac Grand Am with Washington license plate AGJ-9693.
Marysville police and CPS officials tried to find the family on Tuesday after getting a tip that they might be heading to South Carolina, which would be a violation of custody orders.
Earlier Wednesday morning, officials said the parents may have been spotted in Moses Lake, Wash. A gas station attendant there reported seeing the parents after watching a report about the Amber Alert on the news, according to police.
The children are currently dependents of the state, but were placed with Todd on a temporary basis as part of a special program. She was only allowed the kids under the condition that Curtis Drakeford wasn't present at any time, officials said.
"CPS did learn that the father was in the home and was in the process of revoking that program when the parents fled with the children," said Robb Lamoureux of the Marysville Police Department.
CPS officials say they're concerned for the safety of the kids because Curtis Drakeford was charged with molesting young children in 2010 and is being investigated for punching his own kids.
The parents also have a history of domestic violence and currently have restraining orders out against each other, according to police.
Curtis Drakeford is black, stands 5'11" tall and weighs 240 pounds. Todd is white, has brown hair, is 5'5" tall and weighs 220 pounds. The family is believed to be driving a 1998 Silver Pontiac Grand Am with Washington license plate AGJ9693.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 360-363-8300.