A Mother’s Warning Ignored: Three Little Girls Lost After Routine Visit With Their Father
A Washington mother is grieving the unthinkable—the loss of her three young daughters following a court-approved visit with their father. She says their deaths could have been avoided if authorities had taken her warnings seriously.
Now, as the search intensifies for the girls’ father, the tragedy is raising urgent questions about family protection systems and how they can fail.
A Visit Turned Nightmare
On May 30, 2025, 32-year-old Travis Decker, a former Army Ranger, picked up his daughters—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)—for a weekend visit.
It was supposed to be routine. Their mother, Whitney Decker, expected to welcome them back as always. She never got that chance.
Pleas for Help, Dismissed
When Travis didn’t return the girls, Whitney contacted law enforcement right away. She shared concerns about his mental instability and erratic behavior. But instead of issuing an AMBER Alert, police activated a lower-level Endangered Missing Person Alert.
That delay, Whitney and her attorney believe, was fatal.
“She begged them to act,” said attorney Arianna Cozart. “But they didn’t take it seriously.”
A Troubled Past, A Missed Warning
Decker had served honorably, but post-military life was marked by struggle—diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, he battled unemployment, homelessness, and isolation.
Whitney did her best to protect her daughters, but custody arrangements remained unchanged. The courts granted visitation despite his decline.
Discovery in the Woods
On June 2, authorities located Decker’s truck at Rock Island Campground, near Wenatchee. Inside were signs the girls had been living there—car seats, food wrappers, and blankets.
Nearby, investigators found the girls. Bound, suffocated, and left in the woods.
It was a carefully executed and horrifying scene.
The Search for Decker
Travis Decker vanished. He is now wanted for three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and custodial interference. Authorities warn he may be armed and dangerous.
He’s 5’8”, 190 lbs., with long black hair and brown eyes. A $20,000 reward has been offered for tips.
A Family Shattered
Whitney Decker is left to mourn her daughters—three little girls who were full of joy, love, and potential.
“They were my whole world,” she said. “And they’re gone because no one listened.”
Mourning and Outrage
The Wenatchee community is grieving. Outside Lincoln Elementary, memorials grow—stuffed animals, balloons, and handwritten notes from classmates. A vigil is planned, and a fundraiser is helping Whitney with funeral costs and trauma recovery.
Calls for Change
Whitney’s legal team is demanding a review of AMBER Alert criteria, especially in cases involving unstable parents. Advocates say the system failed—not just Whitney, but her daughters.
Family court practices are also under scrutiny for overlooking serious mental health concerns during custody decisions.
Remembering Three Bright Souls
Whitney wants the world to remember her daughters not for how they died, but how they lived.
Paityn, the nurturing big sister who loved to draw.
Evelyn, endlessly curious and bright.
Olivia, full of laughter, always skipping instead of walking.
“They were light in my life,” Whitney said. “All I want now is for their story to change something—for another child to be saved.”
Leave a Reply