Twins found in Osage City via Amber Alert

Rosie Blacketer
Staff Writer

OSAGE CITY—Two children who were the subject of an Amber Alert last Friday were found unharmed in Osage City.
According to information from the Ottawa Police Department, a court order was issued Sept. 26 granting custody of Julie Makepeace’s children to their father. Police said Makepeace, 32, learned of the court order and absconded with the 2-year-old twins, Haley and Jesse Jewell.

A warrant was issued for Makepeace for interference with parental custody, obstruction of legal process, and violation of a protection order, with bond set at $50,000.

That afternoon, the Osage County Sheriff's Office and the Osage City Police Department were requested by the Ottawa Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to attempt to locate Makepeace and the children. At 5:45 p.m., an Amber Alert was issued. 

At 7:55 p.m., the Osage County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle driven by Makepeace at the Dogwood Glen Apartments, North 12th Street, Osage City. About an hour later, the Osage City Police Department, Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Highway Patrol located Makepeace and the children at the apartment of Makepeace’s mother. 

Police said the children were unharmed and appeared to be in good condition. The children and Makepeace were later turned over to Ottawa Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Makepeace appeared in court on Sept. 29, with her bond remaining at $50,000. Her next hearing is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 3. As of Tuesday, Makepeace remained in the Franklin County Jail.