Missing children had run away

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- Two children initially believed to have been abducted from their foster home, triggering a seven-hour search and broadcast appeal for clues to their whereabouts, turned out be runaways, a Jefferson County investigator said Friday.

Authorities said the 16-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother were found Thursday night near House Springs at the home of their father, who reported their location after seeing media reports of their disappearance, sheriff's Maj. Mark Tulgetske said.

Jefferson County authorities initially reported that the children were taken about 4 p.m. Thursday from their Hillsboro foster home.

The foster parents suspected the mother because the woman, who does not live in the area, recently had inquired of their home's location, Tulgetske said.

That scenario was broadcast Thursday night in a regional abduction alert carried by area radio and television stations. The alert system, which began in January, covers 15 counties in Missouri and Illinois and is similar to that which produces tornado warnings.

After seeing the alert broadcast on television, the children's father went to his home, found the missing youths and told authorities, Tulgetske said.

The children have been returned to foster care, he said.