Missing Michigan Boys Update: Mother of Three Skelton Sons Believes They Are Still Alive

ADRIAN, Mich. (CBS/AP) The mother of 9-year-old Andrew, 7-year-old Alexander and 5-year-old Tanner Skelton, who were last seen with their now-jailed father on Thanksgiving, said she still believes the children are alive and safe.

PICTURES: Missing Children, Where are They?

Tanya Skelton, 44, said her intuition still tells her "that my boys are alive and that they're with someone they know."

The boys were last seen on Thanksgiving when they were at their father's home in Morenci, a small town on the Michigan-Ohio border. Hundreds of searchers spent days scouring the countryside on both sides of the state line, but found no trace of the boys.

Their father, 39-year-old John Skelton, is being held in the Lenawee County jail on parental kidnapping charges. Police say he made false claims about turning his sons over to another woman.

Last week, during a custody hearing, John Skelton told a judge that he gave the children to an "organization," but when questioned as to what specific organization he gave the boys to, he replied, "I would rather not say at this time," according to The Daily Telegram.

Despite John Skelton's reluctance to disclose the "organization" and accusing Tanya, a registered sex offender, of sexually abusing the boys, she says she doesn't believe their father would hurt his sons, reports The Detroit Free Press.

"The John I know would not hurt his children," she told the newspaper.

Tanya Skelton remains grounded in her faith - reading Bible scriptures, hoping and praying that her boys will come home in time to unwrap their Christmas gifts.

"In my heart, I have as a mom not felt that my children are gone," she said. "I feel they're out there alive somewhere. I just don't know where."

A candlelight vigil for the three young boys is planned Thursday in Adrian at 6:00 p.m.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE MISSING MICHIGAN BOYS ON CRIMESIDER