Father Charged in 2010 Disappearance, Community Seeks Answers

Prosecutors filed formal murder and evidence tampering charges against John Skelton in November 2025, according to court records and reporting by PEOPLE. The charges accuse Skelton in the disappearance of his three sons, Andrew, age nine at the time, Alexander, age seven, and Tanner, age five, who never returned to their mother after a Thanksgiving visit in Morenci, Michigan in 2010. Family members obtained a court declaration of death in 2025 after fifteen years without the boys being found.

The recent indictment follows an earlier criminal resolution in which Skelton pleaded no contest to unlawful imprisonment. He was sentenced to a term of 10 to 15 years, a sentence that left him scheduled for release later in November 2025. Investigators had previously searched Skelton's home and documented items that prosecutors flagged as disturbing evidence, including a noose, a Bible with a verse circled, and a note addressed to the boys' mother. Testimony in a 2025 hearing referenced internet searches by Skelton related to lethal methods, according to court records.

The timing of the murder charges as Skelton approached a scheduled prison release raises questions about the interplay between plea bargains, sentencing, and ongoing investigations in long running missing person cases. Criminal justice experts say delayed charges can stem from newly discovered evidence, forensic developments, or renewed investigative focus. For families and local communities, the result is often renewed scrutiny of institutional responses and the transparency of investigative agencies.

At the center of this case is the impact on a small community and on a grieving family that sought legal closure through a declaration of death. The family issued a statement asking for privacy and for the investigation to proceed without interference. For Morenci and surrounding jurisdictions, the case underscores the human costs of investigative delays and the importance of clear communication from prosecutors and law enforcement about case status and procedural steps.

The charges also highlight policy questions for state and local officials. How plea negotiations account for unresolved allegations of serious harm. How parole and release reviews integrate unresolved civil or criminal inquiries. And how evidence retention and interagency coordination are maintained across years and administrations. Those issues will be focal points as the prosecution moves forward and as local residents seek assurance that the justice system can both protect the public and provide accountability for victims.

Court records show the matter is now active in the criminal justice system. Upcoming hearings and prosecutorial disclosures will determine whether the new charges produce the evidence necessary for trial. For residents, the case is a reminder that long dormant files can resurface and that civic oversight of investigative institutions remains essential to public trust.