Update: Oklahoma police have recovered bodies in search for remains of missing Kansas moms.
(NewsNation) — Oklahoma authorities are investigating the “suspicious” disappearance of two mothers from Hugoton, Kansas, who never showed up to pick up children.
Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were traveling together to Eva, Oklahoma, to pick up children, Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) said.
A family member informed NewsNation on Wednesday that they’ve been asked to postpone media interviews until authorities tell them to. Additionally, sources have indicated to NewsNation that Kelley might have accompanied Butler to assist her with an alleged custody matter.
NewsNation has learned that Butler’s two children may be living with their paternal grandmother, who may have custody.
On Saturday, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department requested that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) look into the disappearance of Butler and Kelley.
“As of right now, as the investigation continues and we were requested, we’re unsure where these women are or what happened to them,” said Hunter Mckee, OSBI public information manager. “That unknown is what has created it suspicious for us at this time.”
The OSBI said the vehicle the two women were in was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L south of Elkhart. OSBI special agents and local law enforcement agencies are currently working to locate them.
OHP has issued an Endangered Missing Advisory for them.
Yarbrough School, where Butler graduated in 2015, is operating on a locked-down status Wednesday. They first started operating under this status Tuesday.
Butler is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and has red hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, denim shorts and Hey Dude shoes.
Kelley has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt, white-washed blue jeans and tan or beige shoes.
“Veronica has several tattoos, a Chinese symbol on her left forearm, a sunflower on her left shoulder. Jilian has a butterfly tattoo on her left forearm,” OHP said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.
NewsNation affiliate KSNW‘s Stephanie Nutt, Zena Taher and Ryan Newton contributed to this report.
