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Mom of 3 sought in southwest Colorado in custody; children found safe, deputies say

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MONTROSE, Colo. -- A mother of three who had a warrant out for her arrest for child abuse in southwest Colorado was taken into custody Friday, a deputy with the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said in a tweet Friday afternoon that Felicia Jennique Moonheyham (Banks) was taken into custody at a Family Dollar store in Montrose.

An anonymous tip led officers to the store where she was found with her three children along with the father of the two youngest, a San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.

The children, between the ages of 1- and 8-years-old, were found safe and were handed over to child protective services.

It’s unclear at this time what charges she’ll face following her arrest.

The statewide search for Mooneyham started Thursday evening, when the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sent out an endangered missing alert bulletin just after 9 p.m.

Officials said the woman was last seen with two children at 9 a.m. on Monday and believed they were in danger because Mooneyham is a known meth user who had an active felony child arrest warrant. By Friday morning, deputies said they believed a third child had also been taken by the woman.

A $1,000 reward was offered for anyone who could provide information on her whereabouts.

The alert issued by CBI officials was deactivated just before 4:10 p.m. Friday.