Authorities in eastern Idaho are investigating the disappearance of two teenagers, Rachelle Fischer, 15, and her brother Allen Fischer, 13, who were last seen on Sunday in Monteview. Their mother, Elizabeth Roundy, has expressed concerns that their disappearance may be linked to a religious group, specifically the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), from which she herself has distanced herself in the past.
Roundy, a former member of the FLDS, believes her children may have left with their older sister, Elintra, to fulfill religious obligations inspired by the church’s teachings. She suspects that they might have been influenced by members of the FLDS, and has gone so far as to say they could have been brainwashed. “Somebody stopped by the shop and took them,” she told a local news outlet.
An Amber Alert has been issued as law enforcement continues their search. The children were last spotted wearing traditional FLDS garments: Rachelle in a dark green prairie dress and Allen in a light blue shirt and jeans. Their physical descriptions indicate Rachelle stands 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, while Allen is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with longer sandy blonde hair.
Concerns regarding the FLDS have been longstanding, as this group has faced accusations of hiding missing children in the past. In 2023 alone, two dozen children associated with the church have gone missing, with fears that some may be connected to a controversial prophecy issued by imprisoned leader Warren Jeffs. This prophecy allegedly calls for the return of children of ex-members to the church, raising alarms about the potential dangers faced by those who may be drawn back into the fold.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the Fischer siblings to come forward. As the search continues, there’s hope that awareness about their situation could lead to a safe resolution and bring the children back home. Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in the quest to locate Rachelle and Allen, highlighting their commitment to ensuring the safety of these teenagers.