Morenci Dad Says He Can't Turn Over Missing Boys

ADRIAN (AP) - The father of three Michigan boys missing since Thanksgiving says he's unable to turn over the children to their mother.

John Skelton appeared Friday for a brief court hearing as part of his divorce case. The judge asked him whether he was prepared to give the children to their mother, and he answered:  "I can't.''

A pre-trial hearing is March 18.

Skelton is charged with parental kidnapping in the disappearance. They were last seen were at his home in Morenci along the Michigan-Ohio state line.

He said during a custody hearing in December that he gave his sons to someone from an "organization.''

Authorities and volunteers searched for the boys in Ohio and Michigan. A police chief leading the effort has said he didn't expect a positive outcome. 

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.