Approximately 7:45 a.m. on Thursday August 5th, the estranged father, Arthur Franklin Zschintzsc, gained entry into the mother’s residence and removed the three children, ages 9, 11, and 15, from the residence. The mother had been awarded full custody and had an active full order of protection against the estranged father.
Leading up to this event, the estranged father allegedly stole a 2006 dark blue, extended cab, Toyota Tacoma pick up. This is the vehicle the estranged father used to take the children from the mother’s residence. A message was issued to Missouri law enforcement, along with a local “text caster” alert.
The Missouri Highway Patrol made contact with the stolen Toyota truck north of Springfield on Highway 13. The estranged father fled into Springfield, Missouri, and was eventually taken into custody by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Greene County Sheriff’s Office. The children were located near the truck and were unharmed.
On Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 3:16 p.m. a warrant for the arrest of Arthur Franklin Zschintzsch was issued by the Associate Circuit Court of St Clair County. The warrant for Zschintzsch shows the following charges:
Burglary 1st Degree B Felony
Tampering With Motor Vehicle 1st Degree D Felony
3 Counts-Child Abduction E Felony
Violation Of Order of Protection for Adult A Misdemeanor
There was no bond on this warrant.
The warrant was issued after charges were filed by St Clair County Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Dysart in relation to events earlier in the day, Thursday, August 5, 2021.
Sheriff Lee Hilty stated, “Because of information received by a citizen in response to a text caster message sent by the St Clair County Sheriff’s Office and good working relationships between law enforcement agencies, this situation was brought to an end with no one injured”.
Sheriff Hilty recognized the St Clair County dispatchers and deputies for their diligent work on this situation. Sheriff Hilty also gives credit to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Circuit Clerks Office for their filing of criminal charges in a timely matter.
