UPDATE: Search continues for children traveling with non-custodial family members

UPDATED 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2021

The family of siblings Amber and Tristan Jackson are offering a $500 reward for their safe return, according to Tyler police.

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A search continues for two siblings taken from a custodial placement by their mother last week.

According to a release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Department, “On June 25, 2021, The Texas Department of Child Protective Services reported that their agency was granted temporary sole managing conservatorship of Amber Jackson, 13, and Tristan Jackson, 9, (after) conservatorship was granted by the Polk County Court at Law Judge Tom Brown on May 4, 2021.”

The children were subsequently removed from the custody of their mother, Cynthia Hodges, and placed with family members in Smith County but were picked up June 24 by their mother, in violation of the court order, the release stated.

During a subsequent traffic stop, Hodges was arrested for outstanding felony warrants, but the law enforcement official had no knowledge of the children’s situation and allowed Hodges to contact a family member who was not authorized to have custody of the children, the release noted.

The children were then transported by a family member to their grandfather, Jimmy Hodges, and his wife, Francis Callie Hodges.
The couple was “given ample opportunity to return the children to the approved placement family or Child Protective Services but they have refused to do so,” the release added.
Cynthia Hodges has since bonded out of jail and Smith County Investigators believe that the children are her and her parents, with the family last seen at a Longview RV park.

Jimmy and Francis Hodges drove a 2012 white Ford-250, license plate unknown, that could be towing an RV, with the family possibly staying in RV parks in the East Texas area. All three subjects have tieso East and South Texas and aso could be staying at hotels or motels in these areas.
Arrest affidavits were presented to Smith County Court at Law #2 Judge Taylor Heaton on June 29, with warrants issued for Cynthia Hodges, Jimmy Hodges and Francis Hodges. Each were charged two counts of Interference with Child Custody and individual bonds of $100,000 were for each charge. Additionally, Jimmy Hodges is wanted out of Dallas and Smith County and Francis Hodges has a warrant for parole violation, according to the release.

“Cynthia Hodges is a known drug user while Jimmy and Francis Hodges have an extensive criminal background. The safety and welfare of Amber Jackson and Tristan Jackson are of great concern,” according to officials.

If you have any information as to the whereabouts of these individuals, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.