9 Boys Missing Tierra Blanca Ranch Last seen with Scott Chandler Teens speak out. The New Mexico State Police is issuing an Amber Alert for: -Charlie Lamb (13) -Ryan Sibbett (16) -Bryce Hall (17) -Mayson Myers (13) -Peter Adams (16) -Michael Rozell (15) -Oscar Ruiz (17) -David Easter (17) -Evan Kogler (16) They were last seen at the Tierra Blanca Youth Ranch located in Sierra County New Mexico. It is believed that these children are in danger due to the circumstances involving this abduction. The children were last seen with Scott Chandler. Shortly after an attorney said kids from a ranch for troubled youth were safe Friday, police issued an Amber Alert saying the nine boys had been abducted and were in danger. By late Friday night hours of conflicting information had piled up with no sign of the boys, ranch owner Scott Chandler or an 18-year-old man believed to be with the group. The series of events began Friday morning when New Mexico State Police with a search warrant and social workers with court orders to take custody of the kids showed up at the Tierra Blanca Ranch in southwestern Sierra County. When the caravan arrived, no one was home. "We have allegations of abuse," Gov. Susana Martinez told reporters Friday. "We're required by law to investigate, and when you suddenly show up to the place and everybody's gone, it's of huge concern to us." "Law enforcement and child social workers did show up with court orders to interview the children and to interview anyone else that was in the residence." It didn't appear the ranch had closed, just that it cleared out overnight, she added. State Police and the Children, Youth and Families Department have been investigating claims employees shackled, beat and threatened teens in their care. On Thursday Chandler and his attorney, Pete Domenici Jr., said they had filed suit challengng the state's handling of the investigation. Parents have been subject to verbal bullying and threats from CYFD staff, they alleged. Domenici said he requested an emergency hearing, but the CYFD attorney told the judge she could not be available. "We attempted to avoid exactly this type of situation by requesting an emergency hearing, which would have been held yesterday," Domenici said in a statement released at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. "Late yesterday afternoon, the Tierra Blanca Ranch received notice of a custody hearing for four of the youths scheduled for Friday, October 18. "No notice of today's efforts to take custody of the nine boys was provided. Instead of handling this matter in an orderly manner, CYFD chose to needlessly escalate the situation." Chandler has called the allegations of abuse baseless and said the ranch operates within the law and under waivers parents sign when they place the children with the ranch. Domenici also said the boys were not missing but had gone on a previously scheduled activity and he either been picked up by their parents or were waiting for their parents to arrive. At about 10 p.m. Friday State Police said the Amber Alert remained active and that there had been no confirmation of Domenici's statement that the boys are safe. The Amber Alert said anyone with information on the boys whereabouts can contact State Police at (575) 382-2500. That is an updated phone number released about two hours after the original Amber Alert.

• published: 12 Oct 2013
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