FREDONIA, Ariz. (KUTV) — New footage obtained by 2News shows law enforcement officers searching for three American Fork boys in Fredonia, Arizona, two years after they were reported missing.

Three American Fork minor children were reported missing in October 2022, according to American Fork Police.

“It is suspected that their father, with the help of his family, orchestrated their disappearance and helped cover up the children,” American Fork police officials wrote. “My father and family are fundamentalist Latter-day Saints.”

Previous report:

The video shows multiple law enforcement agencies, including Fredonia police and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies, executing a search warrant at the home on September 1, 2024.

“The American Fork Police Department worked with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two years to search for the children,” police wrote. “In late August 2024, we received information that the children were in Fredonia, Arizona.”

In the video, two other family members barricaded themselves in the house with the boys. Officers attempted to enter the home, but the boys surrendered to police about 20 minutes later.

“This case is very similar to other cases we’ve been involved with.” Shirley Draper, Director of Operations, Cherish Families.

Draper was born into the FLDS faction, but left when Warren Jeffs took over. She currently works with the nonprofit organization Cherish Families to help those involved in polygamy.

“It’s very heartbreaking and a lot of trauma. In this case, every time a child is separated from one parent, the children are separated from both parents and hidden away so that the parents can’t be reunited.” ,” Draper said.

The children’s grandmother and aunt were arrested by Arizona authorities on September 1, 2024, in connection with an incident related to interference with custody.

Fredonia Police would not confirm additional information to KUTV 2 News, but the boy’s father was not home at the time the warrant was executed and was already incarcerated.

“There are many fears and socialization is the only way to make you safe. The only way to get to heaven is to be obedient and not show your face to those who want to take you away.” Draper said. “That indoctrination, that fear and teaching, is a huge part of what keeps these kids back. These particular kids actually ran away, they weren’t taken by adults. Because they really bought into the fear that they were going to go to hell unless they got back to where they were supposed to be saved. ”

The children’s names were released when they were reported missing on October 29, 2022, but 2News will not be releasing the identities of the three boys because they are minors.

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