On March 26, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Cedar County Deputy Lukenbill, who also serves as a School Resource Officer (SRO), was notified of a possible parental kidnapping involving a gray 2018–2019 Dodge Durango bearing Missouri license plates. The suspect, identified as Colt Schieffer, was reported to be armed with a handgun and in possession of a 5-year-old juvenile.
At
approximately 10:39 a.m., Deputy Lukenbill spotted the suspect vehicle near the
intersection of Main Street and U.S. 54 Highway in El Dorado Springs, Cedar
County. The Deputy visually confirmed the driver as Schieffer, whom he
recognized from prior encounters.
Deputy Lukenbill
attempted a traffic stop using emergency lights and siren. Schieffer failed to
yield, accelerated, and a vehicle pursuit ensued westbound on U.S. 54 Highway. The
pursuit continued into Vernon County, where Vernon County Deputies joined in.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol deployed spike strips near Nevada, though
they were unsuccessful.
The pursuit
continued across the state line into Kansas, ending in Fort Scott, where
Schieffer pulled into the parking lot of Fort Scott Munitions where he was
taken into custody without further incident. At the time of arrest, Schieffer
was found to be armed and wearing body armor. The 5-year-old child was safely
recovered, and no citizens or law enforcement officers were injured during the
40-mile pursuit.
The Cedar
County Sheriff’s Office formally requested charges related to the vehicle
pursuit. The Honorable Judge Jacob Dawson issued the following warrants for
Colt Schieffer:
• 1 count of
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Class D Felony
• 1 count of
Resisting Arrest/Detention/Stop by Fleeing – Class E Felony
Bond has
been set as NO BOND at this time.
Schieffer is
also under investigation for a separate incident. Additional information will
be released as it becomes available.
