A judge on Wednesday denied a Department of Children & Families (DCF) petition to place in protective custody the youngest children of missing Orlando mom, Michelle Parker.
On Tuesday evening, DCF removed Parker’s three-year-old twins from the custody of their father, Dale Smith, Jr., ex-finance and prime suspect in her disappearance, in the belief that this was in their best interest.
In elaborating, DCF said, the Court was petitioned in response to “suspected or documented allegations of abuse, abandonment, neglect and imminent risk of harm.” However, the Court disagreed, noting that sufficient evidence was not presented and ordered that the children be returned to Smith.
A spokesperson from DCF said arrangements were being made to have the children returned today, as the Court had ordered.
Parker, the mother of the 3-year-old twins, went missing November 17, and has not been seen since. Her vehicle was found one day after she disappeared and her cell phone was last detected in the Oakridge Road and Belle Isle areas over one week ago.
On Monday, Orlando Police said, Smith is the only suspect in Parker’s disappearance. Police also said that Smith has not agreed to take a lie detector test.
Anyone with information about Parker’s disappearance is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
