Arrest warrants have been issued for a couple accused of kidnapping their children in Spencer last (Wednesday) night. The Iowa Department of Public of Safety issued an Amber Alert following the alleged abduction. Spencer Police Chief Mike Lashbrook says the three children were taken from their grandparent’s home around 7:30. Lashbrook isn’t sure if one of the kids let their parents in the home or they forced their way in. There was a brief struggle as the grandmother tried to prevent the abduction, but Lashbrook says no one was hurt. The suspects are Keith and Samantha Pardue. The kids are 6-year-old Skyla Mumper, 10-year-old Ryan Pardue and 12-year-old Starla Pardue. The Amber Alert message says the children are in imminent danger. On December 3rd, the state issued an “emergency removal order” and the kids were placed with the grandparents. Lashbrook says that decision was made because the kids were denied basic care and were witnesses to substance abuse. The family had been living in the Spirit Lake area, but moved to Cleveland, Georgia earlier this year. The grandparents recently brought the kids back to northwest Iowa. Authorities say the parents are driving a 1995 green Ford Ranger extended cab pickup with Georgia license plates 4-9-4-6 A-W-R. Lashbrook says all indications are they’re headed to Georgia. Several law enforcement agencies in Georgia are involved with the case, but an Amber Alert has not yet been issued in that state. The Iowa D-C-I is communicating with the F-B-I if their assistance is needed. The Spencer Police Department has also been contacted by America’s Most Wanted and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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