Stearns County authorities still searching for 4 kids who may be in unsafe situation with parents

Authorities are still searching for four children who are believed to be with their parents and in a potentially unsafe situation.

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office on Saturday had asked for the public's help locating Robert and Erika Herrington and their four children: Landon and Carter, both 8; Briella, age 3; and Delilah, age 2. 

Since issuing the public appeal, the sheriff's office said Tuesday it has received "several tips and other information." But as of that afternoon, the children and their parents were still unaccounted for, and authorities had not located them.

The sheriff's office had previously expressed "concern for the children's welfare," in part because of a Domestic Assault No Contact Order in place that they say bars Robert Herrington from being around his wife.

Authorities on Tuesday offered a few more details, saying Robert Herrington was arrested Aug. 8 for a no contact order violation. At the time, they found he, his wife and their four children "inside a storage unit in St. Augusta."

The sheriff's office cited a "past history of domestic abuse," adding it is "not a safe environment" for the children to be in.

The office has said the family is believed to be together, potentially traveling in a 2015 Hyundai Sonata, white with a black top and Minnesota license plates BWD-364. 

The situation has not met the requirements for an Amber Alert however, the sheriff's office clarified, explaining it does "not currently have information that would prompt our office to request an Amber Alert be issued.

"Amber Alert criteria is well established but does not fit this situation at this time," the sheriff's office said, adding it continues to process received tips.

Still, there "is concern for the surroundings and conditions the children may be in," the sheriff's office said.

Anyone who has information about where the Herringtons and their children might be is asked to call the Stearns County Sheriff's Office at 320-251-4240 or their local law enforcement agency at 911.