RUMFORD — Two small children who have been missing from state care since Thursday were safely returned this weekend by their mother, police said.
Elsa Konopka, 22, left her daughter, Kylee Morin, 3, of Rumford, with a former foster family Saturday night in Lewiston, Rumford police Sgt. Douglas Maifeld said late Sunday morning in a news release.
The former foster family, who weren’t aware until Sunday morning that the children were missing, then contacted the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and turned Morin over to the state agency, Maifeld said.
Konopka still had her 1-year-old son, Shawn, on Sunday, but he is now safe, too, and no longer missing, Maifeld said Sunday afternoon by email.
Elsa Konopka took Shawn to the foster family in Lewiston through an arrangement, he said.
The DHHS “is processing the paperwork, and the case is closed,” Maifeld said. “Paperwork will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office to determine if Elsa Konopka will face any charges.”
Efforts to find the children and check their well-being began Saturday when Maifeld alerted the Sun Journal and television media.
On Thursday, Elsa Konopka failed to bring her children to a scheduled visit with DHHS workers, Maifeld said. The children were living with her on a trial placement since June, he said. Maifeld turned to the public for help.
“Thanks to press, everyone for the tips and the Facebook sharing of the story to bring this matter to a safe conclusion,” Maifeld said.
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- Rumford police Sgt. Douglas Maifeld said Sunday that 3-year-old Kylee Morin, left, and her year-old brother Shawn Konopka, both of Rumford, were safely returned to a Lewiston home by their mother, Elsa Konopka, 22, (in back) and are in state custody.
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