HILLIARD, Fla. – Three young Nassau County children were found safe Thursday night in Charlton County, Ga., within hours of authorities issuing a missing child alert.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, when 1-year-old Harley Wade, 2-year-old Luke Wade and 3-year-old Henry Wade were not at their home on Coyote Drive in Hilliard during a welfare visit, authorities notified the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a statewide alert, saying the children might have been in the company of 29-year-old Amy Cline and 31-year-old Edward Wade.
Edward Wade, the children's father, was arrested for meth a few weeks ago, according to the Sheriff's Office.
A spokesperson for DCF said the family was being investigated for concerns of abuse and neglect, but there was no evidence.
During the past several weeks, the parents of the children were being cooperative. However, in the last couple of days, the DCF spokesperson said they became uncooperative and the children were last scene on Tuesday.
DCF tried to reach the family by phone on Thursday. When they couldn't, officials went to the house and the children weren't there. A judge issued an order authorizing DCF to take the kids into protective custody once they were located.
DCF also asked its counterpart agency in Georgia to help in the search after receiving word that the children may have been in Georgia. Deputies said the three children were reported safe Thursday night in Charlton County and the alert was cancelled.