Topline: New testimony says the woman a Michigan father claimed took his three sons appears to have existed only through accounts and activity tied back to him.
Published: September 4, 2026 4:04 pm ET
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From left: five-year-old Tanner Skelton, seven-year-old Alexander Skelton, nine-year-old Andrew Skelton, and John Skelton (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children / Lenawee County Jail)
MORENCI, MI — Prosecutors say new digital evidence has sharply undercut John Skelton’s long-running claim that he handed his three sons to a woman for safekeeping before the boys vanished nearly 15 years ago.
During Skelton’s preliminary hearing, testimony focused on computer and internet activity tied to the supposed woman, Joanne Taylor, whom Skelton had described as part of an underground group he said took the boys in 2010. According to MLive’s report on the hearing, forensic evidence indicated the digital trail for that woman led back to Skelton himself.
Other local coverage of the hearing said investigators testified that email and online records connected to “Joanne Taylor” traced back to Skelton’s laptop and internet activity, while recovered searches on his computer included queries about breaking a neck and poison in the days before the boys disappeared. Defense lawyers argued some of the searches could have been tied to Skelton’s later suicide attempt, but prosecutors have leaned on the broader pattern of digital evidence and inconsistent statements.
Skelton is charged with three counts of murder and three counts of tampering with evidence in the deaths of Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, who were last seen on Thanksgiving 2010 while with their father in Morenci near the Ohio border. The boys’ bodies have never been found, but a Lenawee County judge declared them legally dead in 2025.
Testimony in the hearing has also included claims that Skelton spoke about taking matters into his own hands during marital problems, told others conflicting stories after the boys vanished, and left investigators with no verified proof that the children were alive after that holiday weekend. The hearing is expected to determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Digital Evidence Undercuts Father’s Claim in Case of 3 Missing Michigan Boys
New testimony says the woman a Michigan father claimed took his three sons appears to have existed only through accounts and activity tied back to him.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: September 4, 2026 4:04 pm ET
From left: five-year-old Tanner Skelton, seven-year-old Alexander Skelton, nine-year-old Andrew Skelton, and John Skelton (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children / Lenawee County Jail)
MORENCI, MI — Prosecutors say new digital evidence has sharply undercut John Skelton’s long-running claim that he handed his three sons to a woman for safekeeping before the boys vanished nearly 15 years ago.
During Skelton’s preliminary hearing, testimony focused on computer and internet activity tied to the supposed woman, Joanne Taylor, whom Skelton had described as part of an underground group he said took the boys in 2010. According to MLive’s report on the hearing, forensic evidence indicated the digital trail for that woman led back to Skelton himself.
Other local coverage of the hearing said investigators testified that email and online records connected to “Joanne Taylor” traced back to Skelton’s laptop and internet activity, while recovered searches on his computer included queries about breaking a neck and poison in the days before the boys disappeared. Defense lawyers argued some of the searches could have been tied to Skelton’s later suicide attempt, but prosecutors have leaned on the broader pattern of digital evidence and inconsistent statements.
Skelton is charged with three counts of murder and three counts of tampering with evidence in the deaths of Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, who were last seen on Thanksgiving 2010 while with their father in Morenci near the Ohio border. The boys’ bodies have never been found, but a Lenawee County judge declared them legally dead in 2025.
Testimony in the hearing has also included claims that Skelton spoke about taking matters into his own hands during marital problems, told others conflicting stories after the boys vanished, and left investigators with no verified proof that the children were alive after that holiday weekend. The hearing is expected to determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Digital Evidence Undercuts Father’s Claim in Case of 3 Missing Michigan Boys
New testimony says the woman a Michigan father claimed took his three sons appears to have existed only through accounts and activity tied back to him.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: September 4, 2026 4:04 pm ET
From left: five-year-old Tanner Skelton, seven-year-old Alexander Skelton, nine-year-old Andrew Skelton, and John Skelton (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children / Lenawee County Jail)
MORENCI, MI — Prosecutors say new digital evidence has sharply undercut John Skelton’s long-running claim that he handed his three sons to a woman for safekeeping before the boys vanished nearly 15 years ago.
During Skelton’s preliminary hearing, testimony focused on computer and internet activity tied to the supposed woman, Joanne Taylor, whom Skelton had described as part of an underground group he said took the boys in 2010. According to MLive’s report on the hearing, forensic evidence indicated the digital trail for that woman led back to Skelton himself.
Other local coverage of the hearing said investigators testified that email and online records connected to “Joanne Taylor” traced back to Skelton’s laptop and internet activity, while recovered searches on his computer included queries about breaking a neck and poison in the days before the boys disappeared. Defense lawyers argued some of the searches could have been tied to Skelton’s later suicide attempt, but prosecutors have leaned on the broader pattern of digital evidence and inconsistent statements.
Skelton is charged with three counts of murder and three counts of tampering with evidence in the deaths of Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, who were last seen on Thanksgiving 2010 while with their father in Morenci near the Ohio border. The boys’ bodies have never been found, but a Lenawee County judge declared them legally dead in 2025.
Testimony in the hearing has also included claims that Skelton spoke about taking matters into his own hands during marital problems, told others conflicting stories after the boys vanished, and left investigators with no verified proof that the children were alive after that holiday weekend. The hearing is expected to determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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