Newton, Illinois — The family in Newton, Illinois, has been lost for nearly nine weeks before being found safe in Arizona.

“I hope they’re alive and just took off to escape. WICS.

Lutz didn’t know that his wish would come true soon. Around 2 p.m. Monday, Cochise County, Arizona agents contacted Monica Lutz and the boys, who then contacted Stephen Lutz.

“Just a few minutes ago, I spoke with a Cochise County, Arizona legislator. We looked healthy and she was fine. Stephen was working at a nearby store at the time,” said Brittany Lutz, Stephen Lutz’s adult daughter.

Ahead of Monday, Stephen Lutz and Monica Lutz and their two sons, Nicholas and Aiden, were last contacted on February 10 when they were reported missing by Brittany Lutz. They say Stephen Lutz has a history of mental illness, violence and drug use, so she and others were concerned for the safety of their family.

On February 10, U-Haul was seen at Lutz’s home attached to Steven Lutz’s truck, but the family never told anyone they were leaving or where they were going. A few days later, on Feb. 14, the family’s phone rang in Richmond, Indiana, but was quickly disconnected, according to the Person Recognition Network.

Gia Wright, president and founder of the Missing Persons Awareness Network, said she and her team were confused when they went inside Lutz’s house to see if they could get an answer.

“All the clothes are everywhere, the clothes in the laundry,” she said. She is indeed unlocked and has a mix of his and hers, but none of the child’s belongings appear to be missing. “

Newton Police said there was no evidence that the Lutz family were in imminent danger, but that they had lifted an attempt to locate the Lutz family on February 14.

See more: Illinois family missing for 9 weeks, some believe children at risk

Newton Police Chief Riley Britton said the family’s location was determined using a license plate reader.

“We were assisted by state police and used license plate readers. We noticed a pattern in this part of Arizona and that led to where we were able to contact today. ‘ said Britton.

Stephen Lutz is currently out on bail and facing a home battery claim.

He now has an arrest warrant in Illinois. This is because he missed court when his family disappeared.

“In early January he was looking at the clown mask on the wall and saying, ‘Yes, I know what I have to do. I need to kill three people. First. My wife Monica, then my son Aiden, then my son Nicholas,” said Brittany Lutz.

Because Lutz is out of state, Illinois officials cannot act on the warrant.

“To that end, we go ahead and do what we need to do. We go ahead and finish that report. said. He said.

Brittany Lutz said she was so grateful her family were alive, but from her understanding they weren’t spoken alone and she still had a hard time with the boys and how they were. I am very concerned about how I am being treated.