Missing Dexter family found in New Orleans

DEXTER, Mo. -- A news release from the Dexter Police Department announced Friday that a fugitive from the Dexter area and his family have been located after 17 weeks.

Chris, Ashli and Madison Rauscher were recently located in New Orleans.

Chris Rauscher was reportedly arrested by the New Orleans Police Department. He had been working at a local cafe.

Both the mother and daughter are said to be "doing well." They are reportedly making travel arrangements to travel back to the area.

The extradition process is underway on Chris Rauscher, but there is no word on how long that could take.

The release said the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was instrumental in providing leads throughout the investigation. The last lead they sent provided information that located Ashli and Madison.

According to the office of Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn, Rauscher is charged with stealing the 2010 Hyundai Sonata in which he was last seen last July 16.

Rauscher was employed at the time by a local car dealership that had issued him the car for his use during the workday, but the dealership did not grant permission to Rauscher to keep the vehicle overnight.

Authorities said Rauscher left for his lunch hour from the dealership in the Hyundai and has not been seen or heard from since.