Local

Search continues for missing Deltona mom, 3 kids

DELTONA, Fla. — There's still no sign of a missing Volusia County mother who took off with her three kids.

WFTV's been following the search for them since Monday, when 27-year-old Tonia Schurman's children were ordered into state custody.

Volusia County deputies said they are looking for Schurman, her 8-year-old son Ibraheem Ayoub, 6-year-old daughter Jasmin Ayoub and her 4-month-old daughter, Madaleen Ayoub.

Volusia County sheriff's investigators said Schurman could be driving a black Isuzu SUV with Florida tag BKM-195. Authorities said she left her Deltona home after a judge ordered her kids into state custody.

Neighbors said they knew about Schurman suffering abuse at the hands of her husband, Hesham Ayoub.

WFTV checked court records and learned he was arrested a couple of times last year on suspicion of domestic battery.

"She came crying at the door, begging and screaming," said neighbor Mel Meister.

Even with him out of the home, WFTV has learned the Department of Children and Families still has serious concerns the children could be exposed to neglect and abuse from their mother, especially now that she's on the run.

Some of the concerns stem from problems with drugs and alcohol, the DCF said.

Neighbors deny the allegations.

"We never saw her drunk, the kids were clean, her clothes were clean," Meister said.

Neighbors said Schurman liked to eat at a nearby China Star restaurant and CiCi's Pizza. They said she often hung out at a New York Corner Store.

Her friend, Brandon Tyler, spoke to her just before she left, he said he had no idea there were any problems.

"It's kind of weird, one day you talk to someone, next time, she's gone," Tyler said.

WFTV tried contacting Schurman, but her cellphone went straight to voice mail.

Deputies are hoping to find them before the children get hurt.

One neighbor said she doesn't think the kids are in any danger with Schurman, but DCF said judges only order kids out of the home in the most serious cases.

Statistics show that in the area of Volusia County where Schurman lives, 8 percent of cases in which abuse is reported result in kids being ordered out of homes.

WFTV will report the latest updates on the search for the missing family. Anyone who has seen them is asked to call 911 or the sheriff's office at 386-736-5999.