LARGO, Fla. — The parents of three young siblings found in Pasco County were arrested after they fled a custody meeting with their children, authorities said.
Natalie Spears, 28, and Tyler Spears, 32, were arrested on charges of third-degree felony interference with child custody and booked into the Pinellas County Jail, according to a Largo Police Department news release.
Benjamin Spears, 6; Hannah Spears, 1; and Noah Spears, 6 months; were found unharmed late Tuesday night at the Holiday Hotel and Resort in Holiday after being missing for one week.
On Feb. 28, the children attended a meeting at the Department of Children and Families on Ulmerton Road with their parents.
"During the visit, information was developed that would have affected Tyler and Natalie Spears' ability to retain custody of their children," the police department wrote.
Natalie Spears quickly left with the children, concealed her car's license plate and turned off her phone, according to police. In a Missing Child Alert issued Tuesday evening, it was believed the couple was somewhere in South St. Petersburg. They were eventually located about 30 miles north.
A court order was issued on Friday to take the children into custody by Hernando County, where the custody case stemmed from.
If sentenced and convicted, the felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a $5,000 fine.
This is still an ongoing investigation and no more information is available at this time, police said.