COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - There is an active search in central Washington state right now for a former soldier who served in the Chattahoochee Valley. Travis Decker, 32, is accused of kidnapping and murdering his three young daughters.

People in nearby communities are warned to be on the lookout and high alert as multiple agencies search for Decker—the father of the young victims.

The suspect was stationed on Fort Benning five years ago. Decker is accused of killing his three daughters, ages 5, 8, and 9. Police say it happened during a “planned visitation” with their dad that started last Friday.

According to Fort Benning’s records, Decker was stationed there from 2018 until 2020. The post is not making an official statement—since Decker is no longer in the Army.

“Travis, if you’re listening this is your opportunity to turn yourself in,” Chelan County, Washington Sheriff Mike Morrison said. “Do the right thing. Do what you need to do and take accountability for your actions.”

An expanding group of law enforcement including the U.S. Marshals Office is on the hunt for Decker, who was last seen in the Wenatchee National Forest, just east of Seattle.

9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia were found dead in a wooded area Monday in central Washington state.

Investigators believe all three children died from suffocation or lack of oxygen at the hands of their father.

Their mother, Whitney Decker, says when she initially called police Friday, investigators told her the case didn’t meet the legal bar for an Amber Alert, but instead an Endangered Missing Person Alert or an EMPA, where cell phones are not pinged.

“Just because a parent with custodial privileges is late bringing a child back does not mean there’s been an abduction,” Chris Loftus with Washington State Patrol explained. “There was not specific evidence of an abduction.”

Authorities said the former soldier had been living out of his truck, dealing with untreated mental health issues.

“We’re not going away. We’re not going to rest and we’re going to make sure we find you,” Morrison said.

An official GoFundMe has been set up to support the children’s mother for expenses and legal costs following the tragic loss of her three daughters.

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