A desperate search is underway in Washington state for three young sisters who vanished after a scheduled visitation with their homeless father, according to police and the children’s mother.
The Wenatchee Police Department is searching for Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5. The girls were last seen at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday, shortly after being picked up by their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, as part of an agreed-upon parenting plan.
In a heartfelt plea posted to Facebook, the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, asked the public for help. “Last night at 8 p.m., Travis was supposed to drop the girls back off with me and never showed,” she wrote. “The cops have him going north out of Wenatchee at 5:41, told FOX 8 News.
“If you could please all keep an eye out for him, his phone is off, and every hotel in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee has been checked.”
The Wenatchee Police confirmed in a Saturday press release that the visitation had initially been scheduled and agreed upon by both parents, but Travis failed to return the children and is no longer complying with the visitation terms.
“The visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and a cause for alarm,” authorities stated.
Travis Decker is reportedly homeless and has been living either out of his vehicle—a white 2017 GMC Sierra—or staying at various motels and campgrounds in the region.
“They have not returned, and contact cannot be made with the father,” police added. Although the case has not met the criteria for an AMBER Alert, the Washington State Patrol has issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert for the three girls.
Travis Decker is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his last sighting, he was wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. His pickup truck has Washington license plates, number DC0165C.
Paityn Decker was last seen in a blue shirt, purple shorts, and pink Nike shoes. Olivia was wearing a coral or pink shirt, while Evelyn had blond hair and brown eyes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the Decker girls or their father to call 911 immediately. The search continues as law enforcement and family members hope for a safe return.
