En Espanol
Thursday, May 21, 2009
TRAVELERS REST, SC - Alexander Deundray Draper, 14, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, is missing along with his mother, Jerri Althea Gray, the Greenville County, South Carolina, sheriff's office said in a statement.
Draper weighs more than 555 pounds, police said, "and is possibly at a stage of critical health risk," according to the Department of Social Services.
Gray was supposed to appear in family court Tuesday with her son and failed to do so, the sheriff's office said. During the family court hearing, the boy was ordered into state custody because of medical neglect, as well as his mother's failure to appear. The Department of Social Services then contacted the sheriff's office, authorities said.
Police have an arrest warrant charging Gray with violation of a custody order, the sheriff's statement said. "Investigators are attempting to locate Gray and Draper as well as talking with family and friends to obtain additional information that may be beneficial to finding both."
The warrant said Gray was served with papers Monday and told to report to court for a hearing in which the department would seek state custody of Draper. "The defendant has avoided the custody proceeding and has concealed the child," the warrant says.
The two may be traveling in a white 1996 Chevrolet 1500 van with burgundy stripes on it and South Carolina license place number AQZ 566, police said.
Travelers Rest is about 10 miles north of Greenville, South Carolina. If you, or someone you know, have any information regarding any crime, you are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. You could earn a reward up to $1,000.Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 554-1111, toll free at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or online at www.5541111.com. Texters can send anonymous tips to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with "TIPCSL". Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.