AUGUSTA COUNTY — Sheriff Donald L. Smith of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has released more information regarding a missing 3-year-old in which the Virginia State Police (VSP) issued an Endangered Child Alert on Sept. 10.
On Sept. 4, Amanda Arey, mother of missing 3-year-old Khaleesi Hope Cuthriell and noted by the Sheriff’s office as an inmate at Middle River Regional Jail in Staunton, reported to an officer at the jail that she placed her daughter in the care of Candi Jo Royer of Waynesboro in October 2020. Arey indicated that she worked with Social Services to establish a written diversionary agreement. That same month, family members of Royer reported witnessing seeing Khaleesi in Royer’s care.
Arey then said that she was told by friends that Royer placed Khaleesi in the care of the child’s aunt, who lives in Covington. It was also reported that Royer may have placed the child in the care of her maternal grandmother.
Friends and family members of Royer reported the same information to investigators. While it was initially reported that Khaleesi had not been seen since February 2021, investigators determined this not to be true. The girl’s whereabouts remain unknown and she considered a missing person.
Royer is also considered a missing person but believed to be with her boyfriend, a fugitive named Travis Brown, a resident of Waynesboro. He is currently wanted on the following charges:
- Strangulation (Augusta)
- Unauthorized use of a vehicle (Staunton)
- Alter or deface serial numbers (Augusta)
- Felony eluding (x2) (Louisa)
- Grand Larceny (x2) (Albemarle)
- Breaking & Entering (Albemarle)
- Carjacking (Albemarle)
- Trespassing (Albemarle)
- Destruction of property (Albemarle)
- Petit Larceny (Albemarle)
- Assault & Battery (Albemarle)
- Contempt of Court (Augusta)
- Breaking and Entering (Charlottesville)
Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Khaleesi Cuthriell, Candi Royer or Travis Brown is asked to contact Investigator Reid at the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 245-5333.