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Mower County authorities are asking for the public's help in locating five children who they say were taken without permission by their mother.

Authorities reported early Sunday that Izetta Cooley, 39, was court-ordered to not have contact with the children, but showed up at the Rose Creek, Minn., home where they were staying Saturday night and took at least three of them. 

Two other children were not seen leaving the residence but may be with their mother, authorities said.

"Because of recent events authorities are concerned for their welfare," the Mower County Sheriff's Office reported.

Cooley's husband, 44-year-old Miguel Cooley of Moorhead, Minn., is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Gabriel Perez outside a McDonald's restaurant in Fargo, N.D., on Sept. 23. Miguel Cooley was later arrested in southeastern Minnesota.

The children are Mateo Cooley, 10; Mollycia Cooley, 11; Mojo Cooley, 13; Morgan Cooley, 16; and Marco Cooley, 17. Photos were available for only two of the children.

They're believed to be traveling in a black 2007 Suzuki XL7 with Minnesota license plates 103-WJC. 

Izetta Cooley lives in Moorhead, but authorities said it was not clear where they might be heading. Mower County officials said they may be in Minnesota, but also could be traveling in South Dakota or North Dakota. 

Izetta Cooley is described as 5 feet 4 inches, 180 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. 

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Cooley and her children is asked to contact the Mower County Sheriff's Office at (507) 437-9400, or call 911.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Crime, Law and Justice

MPR News Staff

Author

Mower County authorities are asking for the public's help in locating five children who they say were taken without permission by their mother.


Southern Minnesota authorities ask for public's help in locating five missing children

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