Mother, boyfriend arrested after lost boys found in Sumner County

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City Police Department arrested two people Thursday in connection with two missing boys found Wednesday after being missing for 20 hours.

Stephanie Michelle Cloud, 32, and Anthony Christopher Ryals, 37, both of Arkansas City, were arrested on suspicion of one felony count each of aggravated child endangerment and child abuse, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

They were transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $32,000 bond each through the Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City. Both Cloud and Ryals remained in custody at the time of this release.

The children — Michael Nelson, 13, and Nicholas Tindlecloud, 12 — and their 14-year-old sister have been placed into protective custody with the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

“The Arkansas City Police Department is thankful to all of the agencies and citizens who helped to locate the children and get them into a safe environment,” said Police Chief Dan Ward. “The safety of the most vulnerable in our community — the children — is a top priority for the police department.”

Officers on Tuesday took a report regarding the two missing boys, who were located Wednesday about 15 miles west of their home by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.

DCF was contacted and information was gathered indicating that the children had escaped their home in the 1000 block of South Third Street in Arkansas City after having been locked in their room.

DCF employees and police officers continued to investigate the incident throughout the day Thursday, and a search warrant was executed at the residence on South Third Street.

Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, Cloud and Ryals were arrested and taken into custody without incident. The Arkansas City Police Department continues to investigate this matter.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.

Those wishing to remain anonymous also may contact Cowley County Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Call (620) 442-7777 in Arkansas City or (620) 221-7777 in Winfield, or visit www.tipsubmit.com or accs.crimestoppersweb.com, to make an anonymous report.

An anonymous tip also can be submitted by texting ACTIPS to 847411.