Mother and stepfather arrested for alleged child abuse amid search for missing Oklahoma boy
The mother and stepfather of a missing 12-year-old boy in Oklahoma have been arrested for alleged child abuse, authorities said, as the search for the child continues a week after he was last seen.
Ryan Davis was last seen on Jan. 2 in Chickasha, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), calling his disappearance "suspicious." Police in Chickasha have issued an endangered missing advisory for Ryan, who also goes by RJ or Ryker.
After state authorities joined the investigation into his disappearance, his mother, Kimberly Cole, and stepfather, George Cole, were taken into custody late Wednesday night on child abuse, child sexual abuse and conspiracy complaints, according to OSBI.
"During the conversation with them, it was learned that there was apparent harm done to this child while he was living with these two parents," OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee said during a press briefing on Thursday announcing the arrests.
McKee said police also executed search warrants before the couple was arrested.
McKee did not go into detail on the alleged abuse pending the filing of official charges, but said, "It was not a safe environment for him."
"This is extremely sad. This is a horrific case so far for everybody involved," he said.
The parents remain in custody in the Caddo County Jail, online jail records show. Charges have not yet been filed against them, McKee said Friday.
The urgent search for Ryan continued on Friday, with OSBI announcing a $5,000 reward for anyone who can "confirm RJ's location, leading to his safe return."
The search has involved the use of drones, canines and other resources, focusing on a rural area between Caddo and Grady counties, according to McKee. Multiple law enforcement agencies are also involved.
"We're still receiving several tips, we're still following up on those tips, but the boy has not been found," McKee said during Thursday's press briefing. "We do believe he is alive at this time, so we are doing everything we can to locate him."
The child has gone missing before, according to McKee, though the circumstances around that are unclear and are under investigation.
Law enforcement has been in touch with the state's human services department, McKee said.
"All we want to do is lay eyes on this child, get him the medical care that he needs, and assure him, physically and emotionally, he will not be returning back to that environment," Chickasha Chief Goebel Music said during Thursday's press briefing.
It is unclear if the Coles have an attorney. Prior to the arrest, Kimberly Cole thanked those who helped in the search in an interview with ABC Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO, saying, "We just want our son back home, we want him back."
Ryan's last confirmed sighting was on Jan. 2 at approximately 11:20 p.m. on foot at the intersection of Fourth Street and Grand Avenue in Chickasha, which is about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, according to police.
He is 4 feet 11 inches and weighs 85 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toe boots, police said.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is asking residents in Chickasa to check their personal and business surveillance cameras for any evidence of the missing preteen. Anyone with information is urged to call an OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017.
