Three children who disappeared more than a year ago in New Mexico were found safe this week.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said they launched an investigation on June 15, 2022, after they were contacted by the Children, Youth, and Families Department for assistance.

CYFD told deputies at that time that they had been contacted by hospital staff previously over concerns of drug use by a mother, 39-year-old Vanessa Atwood, whose toddler was hospitalized with an asthma attack. The department put the 3-year-old on a safety plan with a family member.

As deputies investigated, they learned that three children were missing, including a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old. Investigators worked for months to find the children and their mother, who was evading law enforcement, and eventually classified the children as endangered and missing and filed a charge of obstruction of child welfare investigation against Atwood.

Missing persons detectives located the family on July 27 in northeastern Albuquerque.

“After initial resistance, Vanessa Atwood and two of the children emerged from the residence,” the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives saw drug paraphernalia within reach of the children and obtained a search warrant for the premises. While detectives were still there, the children’s father, Gilbert Martinez Jr., arrived with the third child. All three children were placed in protective custody.

Detectives were further concerned by conditions in the home, where they found “minimal food, unhygienic living conditions, and drug paraphernalia mixed among the children’s belongings.” Deputies called in CYFD.

The sheriff’s office said that charges against the parents are currently pending.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.