The case of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton has entered a new legal chapter nearly 16 years after the three brothers disappeared.

The boys — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — were last seen alive on November 25, 2010, after spending Thanksgiving with their father, John Skelton, in Morenci, Michigan.

They have never been found.

JOHN SKELTON WILL STAND TRIAL

After a seven-day preliminary examination in August and September, Lenawee County District Judge Laura Schaedler ruled on September 3 that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Skelton faces three counts of open mu#der and three counts of tampering with evidence.

The judge acknowledged that the prosecution’s case is largely circumstantial but determined that the evidence was sufficient to move the case forward. Skelton has pleaded not guilty and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

THE CASE HAS NOW MOVED TO CIRCUIT COURT

The latest development came on September 16, when Skelton waived his felony arraignment in Lenawee County Circuit Court.

The case is now proceeding toward pretrial proceedings, with Skelton scheduled to appear again on October 14, 2026.

This means the case has moved beyond the question of whether there is enough evidence for a trial. The next stage will focus on preparing the prosecution and defense cases for trial.

PROSECUTORS PRESENTED NEW EVIDENCE

During the preliminary examination, investigators described cellphone data, computer searches, witness accounts and Skelton’s changing explanations about what happened to his sons.

A Michigan State Police detective testified that Skelton provided investigators with a new account in 2025, saying two people from what he described as an “underground sanctuary” had taken the boys.

Investigators testified that they had not found evidence confirming that such an organization existed.

An FBI examiner also testified about electronic evidence and searches connected to the period before the boys disappeared. Cellphone records were presented as part of the effort to reconstruct Skelton’s movements around Thanksgiving 2010.

THE BOYS HAVE STILL NEVER BEEN FOUND

Perhaps the most painful aspect of the case remains unchanged.

Andrew, Alexander and Tanner have never been located despite years of searches.

The boys were formally declared legally d#ead in March 2025 at the request of their mother, Tanya Zuvers. Authorities have also investigated whether unidentified human rem#ins discovered elsewhere could belong to the brothers, but those efforts have not located the children.

Their disappearance therefore remains at the heart of the upcoming trial.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

John Skelton remains in custody as the case moves through the circuit court.

The October 14 hearing is expected to be an important step as both sides prepare for the eventual trial. Prosecutors will have to prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and present its own case.

For nearly 16 years, Andrew, Alexander and Tanner have remained missing.

Now, their father is facing a mu#der trial — but the courtroom proceedings still cannot answer the question their family has carried for all these years:

Where are Andrew, Alexander and Tanner?

Until the boys are found, that question remains one of the most painful unanswered parts of the case. 💔

Source: CBS Detroit — John Skelton case moves to pretrial | ClickOnDetroit — Judge orders Skelton to stand trial | 13 ABC — Preliminary hearing decision