Above: Joe Tarkington in 1999 (left) and an age-progressed image to 14, circa 2010 (right)


Above: Samuel Tarkington in 1999 (left) and an age-progressed image to 13, circa 2010 (right)

Joe Douglas and Samuel James Tarkington

Last seen in Trinidad, Texas on April 9, 1999

Vital statistics: Joe is a white male. He was born on June 24, 1996. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes. His nickname is "J.D." Was two at the time. Samuel is a white male. He was born on September 22, 1997. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes. His nickname is "Sammie." Was one at the time. Both may be using the last name "Gray."

NCIC numbers: M-780141147 (Joe) and M-230143484 (Samuel)

Circumstances: They were abducted by their non-custodial mother, Lisa Gray Tarkington. A photo and vital statistics for her are posted below. Lisa had been married to the children's father, Keith, for three and a half years when she took the boys and left. Keith sought a divorce and custody of the children and Lisa did not challenge his petitions, but Keith's custody order has not been enforced and he has not seen his sons since 1999. Lisa's father, John Joe Gray, is a member of the Embassy of Heaven Church, an Oregon-based Christian sect that rejects government authority. A leader in the Texas Constitutional Militia, he was charged with two felonies in connection with a Christmas 1999 scuffle with police officers and afterwards barricaded himself and his family inside his 47-acre property on the banks of the Trinity River. They are believed to be living in the compound, but authorities arerefused admittance there. No one has actually seen the children there since 1999, and there are rumors that they may have moved out of state with other relatives. Due to the circumstances, the children are considered endangered.


Above: Lisa Tarkington in 1999

Vital statistics: White female. Born on April 9, 1970. Sandy red hair, hazel eyes. She wears glasses. She may be using her maiden name, "Gray," or the alias name "Lisa Lanell Gray." Was twenty-nine at the time.

If you have any information as to the Tarkington children's whereabouts, please contact the Henderson County Sheriff's Office at 903-675-5128. Any information received can be kept confidential.


Information used to compile this case file came from the following sources:
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network
The Charley Project
Texas Department of Public Safety
The Houston Chronicle
Child Protection Education Of America (site now defunct)
Vanished Children's Alliance (site now defunct)

Back to the case files

Back home