Crime & Safety
Missing Wisconsin Woman Found in Georgia, Faces Criminal Charges (UPDATED)
Michalene Melges and her 3 sons were reported to be safe Tuesday, according to Lake Geneva police. She now faces child custody charges.
- UPDATED (7:44 p.m. Tuesday, May 24)
A Wisconsin woman and her three sons who police had been searching for for about two weeks were found safe in Georgia, and the woman now faces criminal charges, according to police.
Michalene Melges, 40, and her sons—Hans Melges, 14; Kristian “Max”, 12; and Maverik “Buddy”, 10—were last seen Tuesday, May 10, leaving their Lake Geneva home, according to Lake Geneva police.
On Monday, May 9, Melges rented a van from a rental company in Lake Bluff, Ill., about 50 miles from Lake Geneva. The vehicle was returned Friday, May 13, to a rental company in Plano, Texas, police added.
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Melges also had requested that her sons be excused from school from May 10 to 13 for vacation, the Chicago Tribune reports.
But the woman and her children were located at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, by authorities in Savannah, Ga., police said in a release. They were safe and in good physical condition, the release added.
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Melges currently was being held by Savannah authorities on a Walworth (Wis.) County arrest warrant for interfering with child custody, according to police.
The boys' father and other family members were traveling to Georgia to meet the boys, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Before Melges and the boys were reported missing, police say Melges had violated the child custody agreement with her ex-husband, who is the son of sailor and Olympic medalist Buddy Melges, the Tribune reports. In April, Michalene also asked Lake Geneva police to put an extra watch on her home, the Tribune added.
UPDATED (12:17 p.m. Tuesday, May 24): Michalene Melges and her three sons have been safely found in Georgia, according to Lake Geneva police.
The Wisconsin police department released the following statement on its Facebook page:
"We can confirm at this time that Michalene Melges and her three sons have been located and are safe in Georgia. We will offer further updates at the appropriate time. We would like to thank the media and citizens for their concern and assistance in this matter.
Patch will continue to update this story.
ORIGINAL STORY
A Wisconsin woman rented a van from a Lake Bluff company the day before she and her three sons were last seen and reported missing, according to police.
Michalene Melges, 40, and her three sons—Hans Melges, 14; Kristian “Max”, 12; and Maverik “Buddy”, 10—were last seen Tuesday, May 10, leaving their home in Lake Geneva, Wis., according to Lake Geneva police. Melges also requested her sons be excused from school from May 10 to 13 for vacation, the Chicago Tribune reports.
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Although authorities say foul play is not suspected, police are asking the public for help in their search to find the family.
On Monday, May 9, Melges rented a van from a Lake Bluff business. The vehicle was returned Friday, May 13, to a rental company in Plano, Texas, police say.
Melges and her sons also might be traveling with their two dogs: King, an English black lab, and Gigi or Geneva, a white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Melges and her sons should call the Lake Geneva Police Department at 262-248-4455.
PHOTOS: Michalene Melges, 40, and her three sons: Hans Melges, 14; Kristian “Max”, 12; and Maverik “Buddy”, 10. They might be traveling with their dogs, King (left, black) and Gigi or Geneva. (Lake Geneva Police Department)
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