'No reason to be concerned:' Husband speaks out after wife, kids reported missing

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — A husband is speaking out for the first time since his wife and three children were reported missing out of Franklin County.

Lauren Cook, 30, and her children, 7-year-old Benjamin, 5-year-old Hannah, and 2-year-old Elijah Cook, have been missing since September 4, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

The kids are now listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website.

On Monday, the father of the three children, Jordan Cook, gave the following statement to ABC13:

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not 'missing'. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and I'm sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our family's privacy be respected at this time.

RELATED:'There is concern:' Frantic search underway for missing Franklin County woman and 3 children

One Franklin County Sheriff's Office official told ABC13 on Thursday that this case was unusual.

"Usually you see where a non-custodial parent will run off with the kids, which is not this situation," Sergeant Megan Huston said. "There is concern as to where she is at and where the kids are at after it has been over a week now since anybody has had communication with her."

Huston also told ABC13 that Jordan Cook is worried.

"He's upset, as any parent would be, of 'where are my children at,'" Huston explained. "We don't have any signs that she is in danger, but we're just trying to locate them and make sure they're safe."

If you have information on the family's whereabouts you're asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.