From the Stafford Sheriff’s Office:
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in
locating a woman who abducted her four children.
The investigation began in early June 2019 when a woman identified as Melody Bannister, 34, of
Stafford informed deputies that her four children were being abused by a family member. A
joint investigation with Stafford County law enforcement and Child Protective Services
determined the allegations were unfounded. Shortly after the conclusion of the investigation,
Bannister left Virginia with the children on a planned vacation and never returned.
In July 2019, the children’s father petitioned the Stafford County Juvenile Domestic & Relations
Court for custody of the children. The courts issued an order granting the father custody.
Bannister refused to return the children and subsequently petitioned the courts in Alabama
requesting custody be issued to her there. The courts in Alabama heard the case and also ordered
Bannister to return her children to their father back in Virginia. Bannister absconded from the
state of Alabama with her four children and has not been seen since.
Bannister is currently wanted for one felony charge of Violation of a Court Order, four
misdemeanor charges of Abduction, and one misdemeanor charge of Filing a False Police
Report.
The children have been identified as Genevieve Bannister, 13; Janelle Bannister, 12; Vivienne
Bannister, 11; and Peter Bannister, 7. The U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children became
involved in the investigation several months ago. Banister and the children were last seen on
August 20th in Moulton, Alabama.
Over the past several months, they have been seen at the
locations listed below.
Birmingham, Alabama – 35201
Moulton, Alabama – 35650
Greenville, South Carolina – 29601
Shell Lake, Wisconsin – 54871
Madison, WI – 53701
Spooner, WI – 54801
Maryville, Tennessee – 37801
Knoxville, Tennessee – 37901
Lexington, Kentucky – 40502
Leadville, CO – 80429
Raleigh, NC – 27601
Aransas Pass, TX – 78335
Dallas, TX – 75201
Corpus Christie, Texas – 78401
Recent developments in the investigation have led investigators to believe the children may now
be in danger. Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information to contact:
1-877-WANTED2.
