John Skelton (booking photo)
ADRIAN (WWJ/AP) – The Michigan appeals court has declined to hear an appeal of the prison sentence ordered for a Lenawee County man blamed for the disappearance of his three sons.
John Skelton pleaded no contest last year to charges of unlawful imprisonment. Tanner, Alexander and Andrew Skelton were last seen
during a visit to their father’s home in Morenci near the Michigan-Ohio border on Thanksgiving 2010.
The boys’ mother, Tanya Zuvers, had exclusive custody of them, but had allowed them to visit their father for the holiday. He was supposed to return them to her the next day.
Judge Margaret Noe exceeded sentencing guidelines and sent Skelton to prison for 10 to 15 years. The appeals court last week turned
Alexander, Tanner and Andrew Skelton have been missing since Thanksgiving 2010.
down Skelton’s delayed request to challenge that punishment.
Skelton claims he gave the children to an “underground organization.” Despite massive searches, the boys were never found.
Authorities believe the Skelton brothers are dead, but their mother has said she doesn’t think so.
Zuvers is holding onto hope that her ex-husband gave her children to someone. She said she thinks he did not act alone in their disappearance.
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