UPDATE 4/16/2020:

Police say missing child Penelope Inks, who has been missing since 2014, is safely recovered and her mother is under arrest. Penelope was featured in the first season of "In Pursuit with John Walsh" and authorities believe she was abducted by her mother Heather Inks.

On April 3, 2020, Chief Herbert Gilbert Madisonville Police tells CrimeFeed, Heather called 911 and said her ex-husband was trying to poison her. When an officer arrived on the scene at a Madisonville, Texas motel a red flag was raised when she gave a name he couldn't verify.

Gilbert says the officer at the scene and the dispatcher worked together to figure out the name they were given was an alias and it linked directly back to Heather Inks. They soon realized Heather was a wanted fugitive.

Penelope was located inside the motel room and was emaciated. The FBI and child protective services were dispatched to the scene and took over the recovery efforts.

Heather Inks is currently behind bars in Galveston, TX.

ORIGINAL POST 1/30/2019:

HOUSTON, TX — On February 18, 2014, investigators believe then-11-year-old Penelope Carmel Inks was abducted by her own mother, Heather Renee Inks.

The FBI says Penelope was taken from Galveston County, Texas, after Inks didn’t show up for a court custody hearing. It was during that hearing when the judge awarded Penelope’s father, Kevin Inks, sole custody of their daughter. Heather and Penelope have not been seen since that day.

A heartbroken Kevin Inks recorded a 10-minute video message to his daughter and posted it to YouTube. He hopes if one day she is watching she will know many things, including:

“Hello Penelope. It’s been a long time, I think about you every single day that goes by. I still live on the beach, I’m there quite frequently walking the dog and I see families together and fathers playing with their daughters and I miss having that with you very much.”

Kevin’s eyes are filled with tears on and off through the message, sometimes his hands are shaking, but he makes it clear, "I don't want you to be afraid because, I don't blame you for anything, any of this — at all — I just want to wrap my arms around you and tell you that I love you."

Heather Inks is facing a federal warrant for parental kidnapping and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The FBI warns that she may be suicidal.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created an age-enhanced photo of what Penelope could look like today.

TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS:

PENELOPE INKS:

• Weight: 75 pounds
• Height: 4 feet 10 inches
• Sex: Female
• Race: Biracial (Hispanic and Caucasian)
• Hair: Light brown
• Eyes: Blue
• Age now: 14
• Date of birth: August 17, 2004

HEATHER INKS:

• Weight: 100 pounds
• Height: 5 feet 4 inches
• Sex: Female
• Race: Biracial (Hispanic and Caucasian)
• Hair: Brown, but last known to dye it blonde and red
• Eyes: Green
• Age now: 36
• Date of birth: August 12, 1982
• Aliases: Heather Gerena, Heather R. Inks, Heather Perry
• Occupation: Acting or modeling
• Scars and marks: Has a birthmark / beauty mark above her left lip, which resembles a mole
• Place of birth: Florida, has ties to Deland, FL specifically
• May be carrying a concealed handgun.

If you know anything about this case, please call our hotline (833-3-PURSUE) or submit a tip online.

For more on this case, watch the “Deadly Poser” episode of In Pursuit With John Walsh on Wednesday, January 30 at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery! Or catch up on ID GO.

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