Skelton Divorce, Alimony and Three Missing Children

John Russell Skelton, the man accused of having his three young boys removed from his home to whereabouts still unknown, is facing contempt of court charges, as reported by The Daily Telegram.

The three boys, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, have been missing since Thanksgiving although Tanya Skelton, the child's mother, was given exclusive custody on November 29.

John Skelton, lacking any custodial rights, is now at risk of being held for an indefinite time in jail.

On a January 28 pretrial hearing, Lenawee County Circuit Judge Margaret M.S. Noe queried Skelton on whether, if ordered, he was prepared to return the children to their mother.  Instead of answering the judge, Skelton preferred to discuss his estranged wife's request for alimony and payment of her attorney fees.

At an earlier hearing, on December 17, Skelton said that he would not return his children to their mother as it was out of his hands.  He claimed that a member of an "organization" came to his home in Morenci on Thanksgiving Day - and drove away with them.

During divorce proceedings Skelton alleged that his children were at risk living with their mother.

On December 14, after being extradited from Lucas County in Ohio, Skelton was charged with felony parental kidnapping - a charge that carries a maximum of one year and a day in prison. 

Skelton entered a not-guilty plea by written waiver on January 5 and his criminal case is scheduled for February 9.

Noe asked Skelton, "I would ask at this time, Mr. Skelton, if you are prepared to turn the children over to their mother?"  To which Skelton simply responded to the court, as he has in the past proceedings, "I can't."

The matter of the missing children is pending a criminal court trial. 

Noe then said, "What I would like to do is suspend and postpone any further action on this file."

Judge Noe reiterated several times to Skelton that the couple is due back for a hearing on March 18 to discuss custody, parenting time and property issues in their divorce.

Skelton contended that the couple's property had already been split.  He stated that his estranged wife's only reason to meet was to get him to pay her for other items.  He said, "Tanya and I already split up the property.  She wants attorney fees and I don't want to pay her attorney fees.  She wants alimony and I'm not paying alimony."

Noe then asked if Tanya Skelton was seeking spousal support.  Her attorney, David McFarland, after speaking with Tanya Skelton, said, "There are more important issues to discuss at this pretrial, so no."

Tanya Skelton, seated next to her attorney across the room from her estranged spouse, never once looked in his direction.  When he exited the courtroom she turned her back to him.

Skelton is representing himself in the divorce proceedings.

Skelton is currently being held in the Lenawee County Jail, as he has since December 14, on $30 million in bonds.

If you are facing a difficult divorce, which is further complicated by child custody and/or spousal support issues, contact a family law attorney from our directory today to assist you.