Search underway for two missing Texas children with ties to the Columbus area

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Authorities in Texas are currently searching for two missing children who were born and have family in the Columbus area.

“I have so many sleepless nights. What living conditions are they living in,” said Victoria Angel, the paternal great-grandmother of one of the missing children, six-year-old Myangel Nikole Henderson. “We don't know if they're eating properly. If they're sleeping well.”

Henderson and his half-brother, Tayden Carroll, 9, were reported missing by San Antonio police last month.

Missing fliers of the two children were posted online by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, just days after a law enforcement source and family members told ABC 6/FOX 28 that a judge in Texas had awarded custody of the children to the Texas Department of Family Services. and protective services.

Yet the children's mother, Tiffany Spiller, never turned the siblings over to child welfare officials as she was ordered to do.

“He was immediately ordered to turn these children over to Child Protective Services,” Angel said. “They didn't find her. She disappeared with the children.”

“I'm a new mom, we all need help,” said Malisha Henderson, MyAngel Henderson's paternal aunt, “you shouldn't be ashamed to ask for extra help.”

Texas DFPS officials told ABC6/FOX28 they cannot comment on the case, saying the investigations are confidential.

“I think if they ordered an Amber Alert, these kids would be safe,” Angel said.

Texas public safety officials say an Amber Alert was not issued because the circumstances did not meet the criteria.

San Antonio police confirmed to ABC 6/FOX 28 that the children's mother left San Antonio with the children.

MyAngel Henderson's paternal parents are not related to her older half-brother, but say they consider Tayden Carroll a member of the family and are concerned for her well-being.

Relatives believe Spiller and her children are now in Columbus because the children were born here and she has family here.

After posting missing children fliers on social media, relatives say multiple reports indicated the three children had been spotted in the South and East.

“The most important thing is finding these babies,” said family friend Malika Robinson, “we are just humbly asking the community to step up.”

Angel says the children's fathers haven't been a part of the young people's lives recently.

Relatives say the sooner the children are found, the sooner this young family can be reunited after getting the help and advice they desperately need.

“Nobody’s trying to take the kids,” Angel said. “We just want the kids to be safe.”

Anyone with information on the children's whereabouts can call San Antonio police at 210-207-7660.