Empty van found; children still missing

Tue., March 27, 2007

By Amy Cannata amyc@spokesman.com

A van connected to a Washington State Patrol Amber Alert was found in Stevens County on Monday, but authorities were still looking for the two missing children – 2-year-old Lars Baugher and 4-year-old Remi Baugher – and their father, John Baugher.

The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office searched Monday for the children on the ground and from helicopters.

The last sighting of the trio was Saturday afternoon in Waitsburg, Wash. Their 1978 Volkswagen van was found near the Stevens County community of Ford.

Washington State Patrol officials say that John Baugher has recently had mental health issues and that the children are in danger. In the past, Baugher has faced allegations of domestic violence, child molestation and had had suicidal thoughts, according to Walla Walla police.

Remi Baugher has blond hair and hazel eyes. She is 3-foot-1, weighs about 37 pounds and was last seen wearing a pink jacket under a heavier yellow jacket, jeans and Strawberry Shortcake shoes.

Lars Baugher has blond hair and green eyes. He is 2-foot-7, weighs 29 pounds and was last seen wearing jeans, Converse sneakers and a dark jacket.

John Baugher is 34 years old, 5-foot-7 and weighs 140 pounds. He is white, with brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

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