Lockport, NY (WBEN) - A three-year-long search for a woman and her two children has come to an end after local authorities say the three who went missing from Western New York in 2019 have been found in New Mexico.
Olivia and Mason Riford were reported missing on February 16, 2019 by their father shortly after a family court granted him full custody. Mother Katie Riford went missing as well.
"Katie Riford failed to appear for Family Court on three occasions, and the court ordered full custody to the children's father, Peter Diarbakerly. Upon trying to serve the court order to have the children turned over to him," said Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti.
The Niagara County Sheriff's Office received help from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the FBI and the US Marshals Office during the years-long search.
"We were able to develop information that they may be in New Mexico, and through making some contacts and developing some information, we were able to determine an exact location in New Mexico," Filicetti said.
Mason is now four years old, while Olivia is nearly 12. They are currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are expected to be reunited with their father, Peter Diarbakerly, who hasn't seen his children since November 2018.
Katie Riford is charged with failing to obey a family court order and custodial custodial interference, which is a felony because she crossed state lines.
