Amber Alert issued for 2 children missing in North Texas, believed to be in ‘imminent danger’

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — An Amber Alert has been issued for two young children out of Midlothian. The alert was issued Friday afternoon for 12-year-old Jada Welch and 6-month-old Tristan Welch. Jada is 5-feet-3-inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.

She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Tristan doesn’t have hair but has blue eyes. It is unknown what the two were wearing when they were last seen.

The children were allegedly taken by Alethia Tyson and Scott Welch, suspects in the case, according to the alert. Family members tell WFAA that both suspects are parents of the children. According to court documents in Ellis County–a judge ordered both children to be placed into the care of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Monday.

The agency has been investigating the couple since April, per court documents, for abuse and neglect involving the two children. According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, DFPS found that both children were at risk of harm “due to both parents having a history of using drugs and recently testing positive for high levels of methamphetamine. ” Officials said after the order was issued to remove the children from Tyson and Welch’s custody, Jada was removed from school, and both parents fled.

Grandfather Paul Welch said Monday was the last time he saw Tyson and the children following the hearing. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office said it was asked to pick up the children on Wednesday. A spokesperson said the office issued an Amber alert following discussions with DFPS and looking at the totality of the situation.

It’s believed that Scott Welch likely joined the trio later–he couldn’t be located after Tyson and the children left Monday. “She was telling us that they were going to take the kids, and then she packed up stuff and left,” Paul Welch said. Welch said his son and Tyson live with him and his wife in Midlothian.

The same court documents that Welch showed WFAA indicating that DFPS was investigating the family–also allege that Tyson tested positive for meth when she was just 33 weeks pregnant with her youngest. Still–Welch said he was frustrated with the agency for taking the children away from their parents and not placing them in his or his wife’s care. He added that both parents have been trying to cooperate, be better, and were taking courses through DFPS.

He also said that he doesn’t believe either child is in danger or is facing any harm. “DFPS has been harassing this family since 2007,” Welch said. “I don’t think they’re in any danger at all.

I think they’d be in more danger if they were with DFPS than they are right now. ” Welch added that he has one message for the parents as law enforcement searches for them. “Just keep these kids safe,” Welch said.

Tyson, 35, has blonde hair and blue eyes and is 5-feet-2-inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. Scott, 43, has brown hair and blue eyes and is 5-feet-9-inches tall. He weighs 200 pounds.

Tyson and Welch are believed to be traveling with the children in a black SUV, of unknown make and model, and an unknown license plate. It is unknown where they are traveling, but Tyson has traveled to Missouri in the past. ECSO said the parents have not been charged at this time, but believe the children are in immediate danger.

Police are asking anyone with information about the children’s locations to call the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at 972-937-6060. This is a developing story, check back for updates. .