Two mothers mysteriously disappeared before they could pick children, say police

Two mothers have mysteriously disappeared from a small town in Oklahoma, according to local police.

The two women, 27-year-old Veronica Butler and her close friend 39-year-old Jillian Kelley, were last seen driving together on Saturday. But they never reached their destination.

Their disappearance seemed suspicious, said a police  officer. 

The two friends were on their way to pick up Veronica's children for a birthday party, ABC reported citing source from their church. Their car was later found abandoned on a rural Oklahoma road in a Texas county.

The car was discovered not far from Yarbrough School, a local pre-K-12 school. The school remained closed under lockdown on Monday as a precaution due to uncertainty surrounding the incident.

Police have launched investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the two women. 

The State Bureau of investigation said on Tuesday that there was no new updates on the case. The women are still considered missing and at risk.

Jillian's mother said that she is mother of four and a well-loved figure in the community. Jillian  works as a secretary at Hugoton First Christian Church in Hugoton, Kansas, and runs all the children's programs at the church. Speaking to local news station KSNW, her mother expressed her worry and hope for her daughter's safe return.

A close friend of Veronica described her as a kind person who is good with a natural affinity for children.