Standoff in Pearsall likely linked to Silver Alert from Indianapolis ends peacefully, DPS says

PEARSALL, Texas – UPDATE – Tuesday, 10:36 p.m.:

An hours-long standoff at a motel in Pearsall ended peacefully late Tuesday evening, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Shortly before 10:15 p.m., a DPS spokesman said two adults and three children peacefully surrendered to officers at the scene.

DPS did not provide specific details on the individuals’ conditions, but said they were being evaluated by medical personnel.

They also did not immediately confirm the identity of those involved.

ORIGINAL:

A multi-agency standoff in Pearsall is believed to be connected to a Silver Alert from Indianapolis involving three children and their non-custodial parents, Pearsall Police Chief Daniel Flores said.

The alert was issued on July 5. According to Indiana’s criteria, a Silver Alert is for “missing vulnerable adults, children or high-risk individuals.”

Flores told KSAT Tuesday evening that the department received a call from the Texas Department of Public Safety about a cellphone ping in Pearsall related to the alert.

According to WRTV, the ABC affiliate in Indianapolis, three children – all under the age of five – were allegedly taken away from their non-custodial parents after the Department of Child’s Services invited the children’s grandfather to a meeting.

The meeting is said to have taken place on July 4 at a restaurant in Indianapolis. When the grandfather got up to go to the bathroom, the parents took the children with them, the report says.

A Facebook post from the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and the report from WRTV identified the parents as Willie Terrell, 50, and Jessika Terrell, 31.

DPS said a ping from a family member’s cellphone alerted the department to a possible location. Flores said DPS asked police to search the area around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police found the family’s vehicle in the 1600 block of West Comal Street and notified DPS and FBI, who set up surveillance, Flores said. As a precautionary measure, the motel was evacuated.

The children’s father tried to leave the motel around 3 p.m. When police tried to stop him, he ran and a brief chase ensued, Flores said.

The man returned to the motel and entered their room, Flores said.

Flores said the situation remained largely peaceful and no threats were made. He said contact had been made with the parents.

The FBI is in charge of the negotiations, while DPS officials have a special unit on site that would provide access to the room, Flores said.

It is unclear if anyone was injured, but Flores said some of the children are known medical problems.

Pearsall police are on the scene assisting FBI, DPS and Frio County Sheriff’s Office officials, Flores said.

A spokesman for the FBI field office in San Antonio sent KSAT the following statement Tuesday evening:

“We are in close contact with the Texas Department of Public Safety as they are the lead agency and will rely on them for further comment.”