[8]Tonya Ellen Bates was a resident of Round Rock, Texas. ^{[6] [4]}

Bates was the mother of Luluvioletta Mariposa Bandera-

Magret and Lilianais Victoria Cake Griffith.

^{[6] [4]}

She lived in Round Rock with her roommate Terry Allen Miles and her children. ^{[6] [4]}

Tonya was married to Josef Scheffler although they were separated at the time of her death.

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Bates worked as a nurse extern at St. David's Round Rock.

^[6]

On Sunday, December 31, 2017, Bates' body was discovered deceased at her residence. ^[6]

Authorities stated that Miles is a person of interest in her suspicious death.

An AMBER Alert was also issued for her two children, whom Miles is traveling with in her vehicle. ^[6]

The girls were recovered safely without incident on January third in a remote part of Colorado and Miles was taken into custody.

^[1]

The girls are temporarily with family and foster care although Lulu's stepfather was named in a will discovered stating that Lulu should go to Josef.

He has raised her since she was two months old and only knows him as her father.

^[2]