Stewardson Mother Fails to Return Her Daughters from a Scheduled Visitation

On Sunday April 8, 2012, at approximately 6:30 p.b., Sherry L. Coonce of Stewardson, Illinois, failed to return her two daughters, Destiny and Desirae Hewing, from a scheduled visitation, resulting in the issuance of a state warrant for child abduction. On April 13, 2012, a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued in U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois.

Ms. Coonce is believed to be operating a 1997 blue extended cab Ford Ranger truck bearing Illinois license plate 67159R. The truck has a metal toolbox and damage near the left front headlight. Ms. Coonce is described as a white female, 39 years of age, with brown hair and green eyes, approximately 5’7” tall and weighing 112 pounds.

Destiny is described as a white female, 9 years of age, 4’0” tall, weighing 80 pounds, having shoulder length blonde/brown hair and green eyes, and was last seen wearing knee-length blue printed shorts, an unknown type shirt, and white tennis shoes.

Desirae is described as a white female; 8 years of age; 4’0” tall,; weighing 50 pounds;, having long dark brown hair, brown eyes, a scar on the bottom of her left shoulder blade approximately three to four inches long, and a dime-sized birth mark on her forehead; and was last seen wearing an orange shirt and shorts and purple sandals.

The children’s hair length and color may have been changed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (217) 774-3941 or the FBI at (217) 522-9675.