Missing children located in NJ with father; Deputies say this is a civil matter, not Amber Alert

Update:

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, this case does not meet FDLE’s criteria for an Amber Alert, as malicious intent could not be proven.

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Deputies said the children, Tristan Johnson, 4, and Terrance Johnson, 6, had been with their father, Terrance Johnson, since Jan. 19.

The sheriff’s office said that he was going to bring them back to their mother on Jan. 22, when he decided to take them to visit family in New Jersey.

In a news release, the MCSO explained that, from their understanding, the parents are still married but are in the process of a divorce.

On Jan. 28, while the children were in New Jersey with the father, the mother had police do a well-being check on the children, and the children were fine.

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In February, the mother requested that the Florida courts award her temporary custody of the children, which was granted.

However, in a civil procedure like this, it is only enforceable in Florida unless the mother obtains a court order in New Jersey, according to deputies.

Deputies further explained that the father is allowed to have his children. However, if he returns to Florida, he must return the children to their mother, at least temporarily.

He is not facing any criminal charges.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the father, Terrance Johnson, 37, has had Tristan Johnson, 4, and Terrance Johnson, 6, since Jan. 19.

The father was supposed to bring the young children to their mother on Jan. 22; instead, he took the children to visit family in New Jersey.

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Deputies in Marion County are looking for two young children.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office said 4-year-old Tristan Johnson and 6-year-old Terrance Johnson were last seen at Harveys Supermarket on Pine Avenue in Ocala.

Investigators said their mother left her two sons in the custody of their father at that location.

Tristan Johnson, age 4, is described as 3′5″ tall, approximately 40 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair.

Terrance Johnson, age 6, is described as 3′8″ tall, approximately 55 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair.

Deputies believe the boys’ father, Terrance Johnson, 37, unlawfully traveled out of Florida with the children, possibly to New Jersey.

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Investigators said the father has stopped communicating with the boys’ mother and they now have a concern for their safety.

They added that a court order has been filed for law enforcement to take custody of the children and return them to their mother.

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Deputies are asking anyone with tips about where the trio could be to call 911.

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