Authorities searching for missing Southeast Missouri family

DEXTER, Mo. -- Dexter authorities are concerned about the safety of

a 6-year-old Malden, Mo., girl who, along with her parents, has been missing for more than two weeks.

The girl, Madison "Maddie" Ryleigh Rauscher, and her parents, Christopher and Ashli Rauscher, have not been seen or heard from since July 14 when they may have fled the area in a charcoal gray 2010 Hyundai Sonata, owned by Allen Christian Buick Pontiac GMC.

The car subsequently was reported stolen, and Ashli Rene Rauscher and Madison have been reported missing, according to Dexter Police Department Detective Trevor Pulley. Madison and her mother were last seen in Dexter with Christopher Rauscher.

Christopher Rauscher, who was an employee of the dealership, left about 11 a.m. July 14 with the car for what fellow employees apparently assumed to be a normal lunch break but did not return. Two days later, the car was reported stolen.

July 14 was the same day Christopher Rauscher was supposed to be reinterviewed by Dexter police detectives in regard to a burglary at Budget Mobile Homes on the north edge of Dexter.

Authorities believe Christopher Rauscher, along with his 27-year-old wife and daughter, fled in the Hyundai Sonata on the day he was to be again questioned. When the car was taken from the dealership, it displayed a dealer tag of D428-FU.

On July 20, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn charged Christopher Rauscher with felony stealing involving the Hyundai Sonata.

Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield subsequently issued a warrant for

the 38-year-old's arrest and set his bond at $25,000 cash.

At this time, Pulley said, the burglary is "still open and an ongoing investigation" and Christopher Rauscher still is wanted for questioning.

Christopher Rauscher also faces unrelated charges in Cape Girardeau and Dunklin counties.

He is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Thursday before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp in Cape Girardeau County for a hearing on charges of leaving the scene of a motor-vehicle accident and making a false report.

The charges reportedly stem from an investigation by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Christopher Rauscher is accused of wrecking a vehicle from another dealership where he was employed.

A warrant also is outstanding for Christopher Rauscher's arrest through Dunklin County, where he was charged July 20 with passing a bad check. Bond there is set at $5,000.

Anyone with information about Christopher Rauscher or his whereabouts, as well as the whereabouts of his wife and daughter, is asked to call the Dexter Police Department at 573-624-5512 or e-mail Mills at cory.mills@dexterpd.com.

All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.

Christopher Michael Rauscher is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.

His wife, Ashli, is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds. She is described as having collar-length straight brown hair and blue eyes. Ashli Rauscher has a tattoo on her right shoulder of a teddy bear with Madison's name on it and another tattoo on her lower back.

Madison, who has brown eyes, is between 45 and 50 inches tall and weighs about 50 pounds. Madison's brown hair is shoulder length and straight.