by Michigan – New charges have been filed in one of Michigan’s most haunting missing-child cases. John Skelton, the father of three Morenci boys who vanished in 2010, has now been charged with three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence, according to Lenawee County District Court records.
New Charges Filed Ahead of His Scheduled Release
Skelton, 53, was expected to be released from prison in less than two weeks after serving time related to the boys’ disappearance. Instead, prosecutors have now moved forward with long-awaited murder charges.
- Dates of offense: Listed as Nov. 25, 2010, the last day the children were seen.
- Investigating agency: Michigan State Police, Monroe Post.
The charges represent a major shift in a case that has remained unresolved for 15 years.
The Long-Running Mystery
Skelton’s sons — Andrew, 9; Alexander, 7; and Tanner, 5 — were last seen on Thanksgiving 2010. Despite extensive searches across Michigan and Ohio, the boys were never found.
In March 2025, the children’s mother, Tanya Zuvers, asked a judge to legally declare her sons dead. Although the court granted that declaration, Judge Catherine Sala declined to rule that Skelton murdered the boys:
“To make such a finding, the court would only be joining those voices offering such speculation and theory given the lack of information,” she wrote at the time.
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Previous Conviction
Skelton was previously convicted after pleading no contest to three counts of unlawful imprisonment, admitting he failed to return his sons following a court-ordered visitation.
He received a 15-year sentence and was scheduled for release from Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility on Nov. 29 before these new charges were announced.
Mother Responds to the New Charges
Following news of the murder charges, the boys’ mother, Tanya Zuvers, issued a public statement:
“This development marks a significant moment in a long and painful journey. While I understand the public interest in this case, I ask that my family’s privacy be respected as we process this news and continue to grieve the loss of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner. I want to express my gratitude to the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who have worked tirelessly over the years to seek justice for my sons.”
What Comes Next
Prosecutors are expected to outline additional evidence supporting the new murder charges in the coming days. Law enforcement officials say the case remains a priority even after so many years without answers.
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