Three young children who disappeared nearly two months ago in Lampasas County remain missing, though their mother turned herself into authorities last week.
An Amber Alert was issued for siblings Christopher Robertson, 6, Christine Robertson, 4, and Kristen Robertson, 3. The children disappeared with their mother, Kristine Whitehead, 35, on June 3 and were last seen together in Kempner.
Though the children had been with Whitehead since early June, the Amber Alert was not issued until July 22. A Lampasas County court had determined Whitehead was a threat to her children, issuing an order terminating her custodial rights. Whitehead’s refusal to turn over custodial rights to the children’s biological father prompted the Amber Alert.
Whitehead claimed she took the children to protect them from their father; she told KXXV on July 26 that she was exercising her right to protect her kids. The mother assured the news outlet that her children were safe.
Whitehead has made numerous allegations of criminal activity against the children’s father. However, the police have found no evidence of such crimes.
The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “Ms. Whitehead has been ordered by the District Court of Lampasas/Bell Counties to surrender the children to their biological father and has refused to do so, in each instance, citing the false allegations as her reasoning.”
On Thursday, Whitehead remained in custody in Lampasas County. However, the whereabouts of her children are still unknown. Whitehead was charged with kidnapping and interfering with child custody.
Once Whitehead was taken into custody, the Amber Alert for the children was canceled.
KXXV reported criticism of Lampasas County for issuing an Amber Alert for what appears to be a custody issue.
Amber Alerts can be issued in the event there is a child “13 years of age or younger, who was taken (willingly or unwillingly) without permission from the care and custody of a parent or legal guardian by” another parent, but usually only when the parent is a verifiable threat to the children’s lives.
Lampasas County Officials believed Whitehead to be a physical and/or mental threat to the children at the time when the Amber Alert was issued.
Utah state senator Todd Weiler believes that the large volume of Amber Alerts issued cheapens their effect. Since they are sent out so often, people lose patience and turn off the alerts altogether.
Weiler believes people would pay more attention if there were fewer Amber Alerts, suggesting they should not be sent out concerning custody disputes.
The sheriff’s office has requested help from the U.S. Marshals Office and the FBI to locate the children. They ask anyone with information to call (512) 556-8255.