The Illinois woman who authorities say took her grandson from T.Y. Fleming Elementary School remained at large this morning.
Teresa Avery, 46, of 1804 Mannheim Rd., Des Plaines, Ill., was “definitely” in Illinois on Tuesday, Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks said today. The child was believed to still be with her.
An arrest warrant charging Avery with kidnapping her 10-year-old grandson was issued Tuesday afternoon.
Avery is the boy’s paternal grandmother. The boy’s father is deceased.
Banks said he spoke with a son of Avery’s on Tuesday. The son told Banks he would drive the boy back to Leflore County. “I told him he needed to bring his mother back with him also,” Banks said.
The boy is not believed to be in any danger, Banks said.
The boy’s mother, Washeca Hill of Schlater, called the Sheriff’s Department Monday morning and told them Avery had taken her son from the Minter City school without permission.
Banks had several conversations with Avery on her cellular telephone Monday while she was allegedly en route to Illinois with the child. He urged her to return the boy. She refused, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Banks said his department is being assisted in its investigation by U.S. Marshals.
“We’ve got some good information. We’re working on some things,” he said.
The sheriff declined to comment further on the case, saying he didn’t want to jeopardize the investigation.
It is not clear why Avery might have taken the child.
