Amber Alert: 4 Seattle children found safe in Eastern Washington; parents released

SEATTLE — An Amber Alert that was issued Tuesday evening for four children in Washington state has been canceled.

Trooper Rick Johnson said the family was found in Cheney, Washington at about 7 p.m.

Johnson said the parents were taken into custody.

According to Seattle police, the parents were questioned and later released.

UPDATE: Thank you @wastatepatrol for finding these kids! All children found safe in Eastern Washington and will be turned over to @waDCYF custody. Both parents have been questioned and released, pending further action from the courts. https://t.co/JxFxVaeSlD
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) December 11, 2019

Investigators said the suspect is 42-year-old Nicholas Antonie and he was accompanied by his wife, 38-year-old Crystal Lane Antonie and the children.

A Superior Court judge ordered the children to be handed over to the custody of Child Protective Services. Police said the parents fled to Orcas Island in the 28-foot RV, and authorities said they were possibly headed to Tennessee or Ohio.

The father, Nicholas Antonie, may have been armed with an AR-15, made threats to harm social workers, and has a recent psychiatric history, authorities said. The mother, Crystal Lane, has a history of mental health issues and substance abuse.

Police said there was “significant” domestic violence between the parents.