Tuesday, March 27, 2001
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police are looking for a 27-year-old New Castle woman who disappeared with her 8-month-old son earlier this month.
Stephanie Atchley was last seen March 6 at the Super 8 Motel in Shenango Township with her son, Brandon. The child's father, Don Sluder of 716 Neal St., New Castle, had primary custody of the boy and a second child, a 13-year-old girl, when Atchley took off, police said. The daughter remains with her father in New Castle.
Atchley faces charges of interference with custody of children and concealment of whereabouts of a child.
Had left children: Sluder gained primary custody of the children when Atchley left the state, leaving the children with a neighbor for about a week last month, said Shenango police Sgt. Nick Ventura.
A hearing set for May will determine if Sluder gets sole custody of the children, Ventura said.
According to police, Atchley returned earlier this month and asked Sluder if she could visit the children.
Sluder agreed to leave the 8-month-old overnight with Atchley at the Super 8 Motel, but when he returned the next day, they were gone, Ventura said.
Police think she could be in New Jersey, Arkansas or Texas, all places she has lived or has family or friends.
Descriptions: Atchley is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs about 145 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. Brandon Sluder has light brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Shenango Township Police at (724) 654-2243.