Endangered Children Located in Missouri Parents Arrested

A missing and endangered children investigation that spanned multiple states, and several cities in Missouri, has concluded with the arrest of two people from Florida. In March, a Judge in Florida signed an order for the state to take custody of two children who had been living in unsafe and abusive conditions. The investigation by Children’s Services revealed evidence of the children being inhumanely restrained and evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing and drug abuse in the home where the family was squatting. Before Florida authorities could take custody of the children, the parents 38 year old Nikolas and 33 year old Helen Harris, fled the state with the children. U.S. Marshals tracked them through several states before pinpointing them to a residence in Osage Beach. On Friday afternoon, Camden County Deputies assisted in the search for the fugitives and found them at a residence on Channel Buoy Drive, where the children were rescued, and the adults were arrested. A search of the residence turned up methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Nikolas Harris and Helen Harris are charged in Missouri with felony possession of a controlled substance and two counts of felony endangering the welfare of a child.