Missing Oklahoma boy found safe after mother, stepfather arrested for alleged child abuse: officials
CHICKASHA, Okla. -- A missing 12-year-old boy in Oklahoma has been found after his mother and stepfather were arrested for alleged child abuse, officials said.
Kimberly Cole and George Cole were arrested for child abuse and child sexual abuse amid the search for Chickasha, Oklahoma missing child Ryan Davis.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) said Ryan Davis, who also goes by RJ or Ryker, was found safe in Chickasha on Sunday afternoon.
"The OSBI appreciates all our local law enforcement partners and search groups who assisted us throughout the week. We will provide updates when they become available," the OSBI said.
The following is from a previous report.
The mother and stepfather of a missing 12-year-old boy in Oklahoma have been arrested for alleged child abuse, authorities said, as the search for the child continues a week after he was last seen, authorities said.
Ryan Davis was last seen on Jan. 2 in Chickasha, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), calling his disappearance "suspicious." Police in Chickasha have issued an endangered missing advisory for Ryan, who also goes by RJ or Ryker.
After state authorities joined the investigation into his disappearance, his mother, Kimberly Cole, and stepfather, George Cole, were taken into custody late Wednesday night on child abuse, child sexual abuse and conspiracy complaints, according to OSBI.
"During the conversation with them, it was learned that there was apparent harm done to this child while he was living with these two parents," OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee said during a press briefing on Thursday announcing the arrests.
McKee said police also executed search warrants before the couple was arrested.
McKee did not go into detail on the alleged abuse pending the filing of official charges, but said, "It was not a safe environment for him."
"This is extremely sad. This is a horrific case so far for everybody involved," he said.
The parents remain in custody in the Caddo County Jail, online jail records show. Charges have not yet been filed against them, McKee said Friday.
The urgent search for Ryan continued on Friday, with OSBI announcing a $5,000 reward for anyone who can "confirm RJ's location, leading to his safe return."
The search has involved the use of drones, canines and other resources, focusing on a rural area between Caddo and Grady counties, according to McKee. Multiple law enforcement agencies are also involved.
"We're still receiving several tips, we're still following up on those tips, but the boy has not been found," McKee said during Thursday's press briefing. "We do believe he is alive at this time, so we are doing everything we can to locate him."
The child has gone missing before, according to McKee, though the circumstances around that are unclear and are under investigation.
Law enforcement has been in touch with the state's human services department, McKee said.
"All we want to do is lay eyes on this child, get him the medical care that he needs, and assure him, physically and emotionally, he will not be returning back to that environment," Chickasha Chief Goebel Music said during Thursday's press briefing.
It is unclear if the Coles have an attorney. Prior to the arrest, Kimberly Cole thanked those who helped in the search in an interview with ABC Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO, saying, "We just want our son back home, we want him back."
Ryan's last confirmed sighting was on Jan. 2 at approximately 11:20 p.m. on foot at the intersection of Fourth Street and Grand Avenue in Chickasha, which is about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, according to police.
He is 4 feet 11 inches and weighs 85 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toe boots, police said. Anyone with information is urged to call an OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017.
Opelika man indicted in alleged child sex abuse case dating back 40 years
OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) — A Lee County grand jury has indicted James Douglas McConnell, 63, of Opelika, on multiple charges of sexual abuse stemming from crimes allegedly committed more than 40 years ago. The case, investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, alleges acts of sexual contact by forcible compulsion and repeated abuse of the victim over an 11-year time frame beginning in the early 80s.
The six-count indictment, issued during the December 2024 term, includes three counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of sexual abuse of a child under 12, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
According to court documents, McConnell allegedly began abusing the victim in 1983 when the child was under the age of 12 when McConnell was in his 20s. The indictment alleges the abuse continued until 1994. Alabama laws allow for the prosecution of sexual crimes against minors without a statute of limitations, enabling authorities to address allegations regardless of how much time has passed. WRBL has reached out to the Lee County District Attorney‘s Office and investigators for additional information.
“It’s rare for a grand jury to return an indictment in a child sex abuse case from more than 40 years ago. This speaks volumes about the unwavering dedication of our investigators in giving victims a voice. I deeply admire the courage of the victim, who found the strength to come forward as an adult,” said Sheriff Jay Jones.
McConnell is being held without bond at the Lee County Detention Facility pending an Aniah’s Law hearing. His arraignment is scheduled for March 2025. McConnell is represented by attorney Jason Jackson. WRBL has reached out to Jackson for a comment.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging anyone with additional information or knowledge of other alleged victims to contact law enforcement.
Sex offender notification
The Flagstaff Police Department and Coconino County Sheriff's Office would like to make the following sex offender notifications:
Clifford John Begay, 47, is listed at 4185 East Huntington Drive in Flagstaff. He was convicted of sexual abuse in 2001 and failure to register as a sex offender in 2025.
Raymond Desmond, 51, is listed at 2116 North 2nd Street in Flagstaff. He was convicted of sexual conduct with a minor in 2002.
Jeffrey Allen Hurt, 43, is listed at 2010 East Route 66 in Flagstaff. He was convicted of distributing child pornography in 2018.
Dustin Tso, 40, is listed at 4185 East Huntington Drive in Flagstaff. He was convicted of kidnapping for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act by force in 2019.
George Joseph Walten IV, 30, is listed at 7860 East Gemini Drive in Flagstaff, He was convicted of attempted sexual assault in 2019.
Sex offender notifications are required by Arizona law. They are not wanted by the law enforcement at this time. Resident abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass sex offenders will not be tolerated by the police department.
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