Washington state father wanted for murder after 3 daughters found dead
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New audio from a family court hearing shows Travis Decker pleading with a judge to let him spend more time with his three daughters, who he’s accused of killing.

The bodies of Decker’s three daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found in a wooded area approximately 30 miles from Rock Island Campground in Washington, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. Federal authorities took over the search on June 8 after local officials said they needed assistance. Decker is a former Army soldier with “extensive” training.

“We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources,” the statement said. “However, CCSO leadership remains closely involved in search coordination and continues their lead with the criminal investigation.”

According to Fox 13, Decker’s visitation time with the three girls had been reduced in recent years. Whitney, Decker’s ex-wife, and her lawyer cited alleged endangerment of the three children, declining mental health and lack of communication in their request to decrease Travis’ visitation time.

Travis Decker pictured with a clean shave and shirtless, showing tattoos on both arms and his left side

Travis Decker (Courtesy of Chelan County Sheriff’s Office)

After the judge signed off on the parenting plan that reduced the time Decker would spend with his daughters, he continued to ask for a different outcome.

“And then nothing can change that? Nothing, my signature doesn’t matter anyway, right? So if I don’t sign it, then …” Decker said.

When Decker didn’t drop the girls off by the 8 p.m. curfew on May 30, Whitney tried calling him, but he didn’t pick up, according to an affidavit. According to the court document, Decker had never missed a curfew to return the children.

The court documents indicated Decker had mental health issues and borderline personality disorder, adding he is homeless and lives in campgrounds and motels.

travis decker

Travis Decker was believed to be living out of his pickup truck. (Wenatchee Police Department)

Decker was charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

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