Police Shift Focus Of Investigation Into Children's Bones

MORENCI (WWJ/AP) - A Montana man questioned about the discovery of human bones, possibly those of three missing Michigan children, is no longer the focus of the investigation.

Police in Missoula are now turning to other people tied to the property where the remains were found in September. Authorities say a box containing bones and teeth - believed to be from three children - was found in the shed. An anthropologist estimated the children's ages to be 2-4 years old, 5-8 years old and 6-10 years old.

Authorities are awaiting DNA results to see if the remains are connected to the 2010 disappearance of three young boys from Morenci, Michigan. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton were 5, 7 and 9 years of age when they disappeared.

When the boys were reported missing, they were in the care of their father, John Skelton, who later pleaded no contest to three counts of unlawful imprisonment in September 2011. He claimed he gave the boys to unknown individuals in an effort to keep the children out of harm's way. Claims that the mother was abusing the boys were not true, according to Tanya Skelton, who says she is heartbroken her boys were never found.

John Skelton is currently serving 10-15 years at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia.

Last year, Michigan State Police released new age-progression photos of the boys, showing what Andrew might look like at age 15, Alexander at 13, and Tanner at 11.

Anyone who has information on the case is asked to contact police at 517-636-0689 or submit a tip online at michigan.gov/michtip.

© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.