Mother and stepfather arrested for alleged child abuse amid search for missing Oklahoma boy
The mother and stepfather of a missing 12-year-old boy in Oklahoma have been arrested for alleged child abuse, authorities said, as the search for the boy continues a week after he was last seen, authorities said.
Ryan Davis was last seen on January 2 in Chickasha, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), calling his disappearance “suspicious.” Chickasha police have issued an endangered missing person notice for Ryan, who also goes by RJ or Ryker.
This undated photo of missing 12-year-old Ryan Davis was released by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
After state authorities joined the investigation into her disappearance, her mother, Kimberly Cole, and stepfather, George Cole, were arrested Wednesday night on allegations of child abuse, child sexual abuse and conspiracy, according to OSBI.
“During the conversation with them, it was learned that harm appeared to have been caused to this child while he was living with these two parents,” OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee said during a Thursday news conference announcing the arrests.
McKee said police also executed search warrants before the couple was arrested.
McKee did not go into details about the alleged abuse pending official charges, but said, “It was not a safe environment for him.”
“This is extremely sad. It’s a horrible case so far for everyone involved,” he said.
The booking photos of George Cole and Kimberly Cole.
Cado County Sheriff’s Office
The parents remain in custody at the Caddo County Jail, online jail records show. No charges have yet been filed against them, McKee said Friday.
The urgent search for Ryan continued Friday, with OSBI announcing a $5,000 reward for anyone who can “confirm RJ’s location, leading to his safe return.”
The search has involved the use of drones, canines and other resources, focusing on a rural area between Caddo and Grady counties, according to McKee. Several law enforcement agencies are also involved.
“We are still receiving several leads, we are still following up on those leads, but the child has not been found,” McKee said during Thursday’s news conference. “We believe he is alive at this time, so we are doing everything we can to locate him.”
The Chickasha Police Department issued an endangered missing alert for Ryan Davis.
Chickasha Police Department
The boy has gone missing before, according to McKee, although the circumstances are unclear and under investigation.
Authorities have been in contact with the state department of human services, McKee said.
“All we want to do is see this child, get him the medical care he needs and assure him, physically and emotionally, that he will not return to that environment,” Chickasha Chief Goebel Music said during Thursday’s news conference.
It is unclear if the Coles have an attorney. Prior to the arrest, Kimberly Cole thanked those who helped in the search in an interview with ABC Oklahoma City affiliate KOCOsaying, “We just want our son to come home, we want him back.”
The last confirmed sighting of Ryan was on January 2 at approximately 11:20 p.m. on foot at the intersection of Fourth Street and Grand Avenue in Chickasha, which is about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, according to police.
He is 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 85 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toed boots, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017.
