John Skelton tells his parents his three boys are safe

(WXYZ) - The parents of John Skelton say their son has told them his three sons Andrew, Alexander and Tanner are safe.

William and Roxanne Skelton visited their son Wednesday at the jail where he is being housed in Toledo, Ohio. According to his parents, Skelton would not tell them where the boys are located. John Skelton reportedly told his parents that he had to get the boys out of harm's way.

"He took those boys out of harm’s way .. I respect my son for doing that."

The Skelton's made shocking allegations against the boys' mother, accusing her of sexually abusing them. They say their son John went to police, but investigators didn't listen. They claim John sent the boys away in order to protect them from their mother.

William Skelton said his son looked rough and depressed, but that he's not suicidal.

The three boys from Morenci, Michigan have been missing since Thanksgiving. Their father, John Skelton, was arrested and jailed on parental kidnapping charges in the case. He is being held in the Lucas County Jail in Toledo, Ohio.