IONIA, Mich. – Ninety cases of the SARS-CoV-2 B117 variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Officials said the COVID-19 variant cases were identified after daily testing of inmates and staff at the facility. According to health officials, of those 90 cases, 88 are prisoners and two are employees. Health officials advise that Michiganders should:Wash hands often. AdEarlier this month, the variant was identified in Kent County after already identified in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

The imprisoned father of three Michigan boys who went missing in 2010 was reportedly denied parole. John Skelton was charged in 2011 for the wrongful imprisonment of his three sons who went missing from their home in Morenci on Nov. 26, 2010. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton were 9, 7 and 5 years old, respectively, when they went missing nearly 10 years ago. A group has never been identified or come forward, and John Skelton’s story has changed since his initial claim. According to the family, John Skelton came up for a parole review in July but was denied.