An Illinois family has not been seen or heard from for more than two months, according to a report.
The Lutz family has been missing since Feb. 10, when Monica and Stephen Lutz apparently packed up their two young boys and a U-Haul and left just after Stephen was released from jail after an alleged domestic violence incident weeks earlier.
Lutz was released from jail Jan. 19 and ordered to stay away from his wife and the family home, Fox Illinois reported.
The couple have two sons, Aiden, 11, and Nicholas, 9.
Some family members have said Stephen, who faces several domestic battery charges, has a history of drug use and mental illness, ABC 7 Chicago reported.
“They’ve all said things that are very alarming, not just that there’s a possible split personality disorder, believed to have all the signs of schizophrenia. There’s been drug use charges since 2006 on Stephen,” Gia Wright of the Missing Persons Awareness Network told the Fox affiliate.
The house was in disarray when Wright and her team went to investigate, she said.
“All the clothes are everywhere. Clothes in the laundry,” Wright said.
“There was clothes in a suitcase that was half open, it definitely wasn’t locked, and you have a mix of his clothes and her clothes in there but none of the child’s stuff looks like it’s missing.”
Police said they’re taking necessary precautions because of how long the family has been missing.
They were reported missing by Stephen Lutz’s adult daughter, Brittany Lutz.
Stephen and Monica Lutz and their two sons Aiden and Nicholas have not been heard from since Feb. 10. brittany.lutz.7/Facebook
Stephen Lutz was released from jail in January after he was charged with several domestic battery charges, under the condition that he doesn’t contact his wife or go into the home. brittany.lutz.7/FacebookThe same day they were reported missing, a U-Haul was spotted at the family’s home attached to Stephen Lutz’s pickup truck.
None of their neighbors, family or friends reported being told that they were leaving.
Soon after the family disappeared, their home’s electrical service was cut off.
Brittany said she last heard from Aiden in a text message, saying that his family was going on a vacation, but he wasn’t sure where they were headed, according to WCIA News.
“On Feb. 14 I did text my father Stephen and said if they needed to get away, I could take the boys and just get them back to a normal life. He said they have a normal life, they aren’t together, and he’s not allowed to be around them,” Brittany told WCIA.
Police also said that a U-Haul was seen at the Lutz’s residence hitched to a pickup truck that Stephen Lutz drove. brittany.lutz.7/Facebook
Newton police report the four family members have been missing since February.
Newton police said that they attempted to locate the family on Feb. 14, but found no evidence indicating the family was in danger.
Officials said cellphones belonging to Stephen and Monica pinged on Feb. 11 in Indianapolis, Ind., and then on Feb. 14 in Richmond, Ind., but soon after both phones were disconnected.
The Missing Persons Awareness Network is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading officials to the family, and can be reached at 312-620-0788, or call the Newton Police Department at 618-783-8478.
