Maternal grandparents among four newly charged as Wyoming County prosecutors continue investigating the disappearance of two young siblings.

WYOMING COUNTY, NY | October 11, 2026

By Erie County Blotter | Public Safety & Community News

Four additional individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the disappearance of two young Western New York children who were missing for nearly three months before being discovered with their non-custodial mother in Georgia.

The case, which generated widespread concern throughout Western New York and attracted attention beyond state lines, is now proceeding through the criminal court system as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the children’s disappearance.

According to information released by the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and reported October 2, the latest charges involve four adults, including the children’s maternal grandparents.

Four Additional Defendants Identified

The Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office identified the newly charged individuals as:

• Alex Koschuk
• Tracy Koschuk
• Andrew Silvestri
• Jonathan Mapes

Each individual faces the following charges:

Two counts of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree

One count of Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree

Alex and Tracy Koschuk have been identified as the parents of Nicole A. Koschuk, the children’s mother.

Prosecutors have not publicly detailed the specific actions each defendant is alleged to have taken. The nature of Silvestri’s and Mapes’ involvement has also not been explained in the available public reports.

The new charges represent a significant development in an investigation that New York State Police previously said included determining whether additional individuals assisted Nicole Koschuk.

The four defendants’ cases are being handled through Java Town Court in Wyoming County. Their next court appearances have not been publicly confirmed.

A Search That Began in May

The investigation began in May 2026, when New York State Police sought the public’s assistance in locating two young siblings, Lincoln and his older sister, who were believed to be traveling with their non-custodial mother.

Nicole A. Koschuk, 42, was identified by investigators as the parent believed to have the children.

On May 15, State Police publicly requested assistance in locating the siblings. The disappearance prompted an extensive search and widespread sharing of missing-person information throughout Western New York.

The children’s father, Greg Dominick, also made public appeals seeking information that could help bring his children home.

As the weeks passed without a confirmed location, concern continued to grow among family members, friends and community supporters.

Children Located in Georgia on August 11

The investigation reached a major turning point on August 11, 2026.

Members of the United States Marshals Service located Nicole Koschuk and the two children in Trenton, Georgia, more than 800 miles from Western New York.

According to New York State Police, the three were discovered living inside a shed.

Authorities reported that both children were in good health when located.

Nicole Koschuk was arrested on an active Wyoming County Court warrant for first-degree custodial interference.

Following the discovery, the children were temporarily placed in the care of the Dade County Department of Family and Children’s Services while officials coordinated their return to their lawful custodian.

The children were subsequently reunited with their father.

For those who had followed the case for months, confirmation that the siblings had been found alive and safe brought tremendous relief.

However, their recovery did not mark the end of the criminal investigation.

State Police specifically indicated that investigators would continue looking into whether anyone had assisted Koschuk.

Nicole Koschuk Faces Multiple Criminal Charges

According to the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, as reported by 13WHAM on October 2, Nicole Koschuk faces:

• Two counts of Custodial Interference in the First Degree
• Two counts of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
• Three counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree

Prosecutors indicated that Koschuk had not been indicted as of that reporting, although the criminal charges remained pending.

Court records cited in the report indicated bail had been set at:

$100,000 cash, $300,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond.

Bail has reportedly been posted.

A temporary order of protection was also issued in connection with the proceedings.

Nicole Koschuk is scheduled to appear again in Wyoming County Court on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, for further proceedings.

Understanding the Criminal Charges

Under New York State law, custodial interference in the first degree is a Class E felony.

The statute addresses certain situations involving unlawful interference with custody, including removing someone from New York with the intent to permanently remove them or exposing the person to circumstances that endanger safety or materially impair health.

Conspiracy in the fifth degree is a Class A misdemeanor that can involve an agreement to engage in conduct constituting a felony.

Hindering prosecution in the third degree is also a Class A misdemeanor and concerns providing criminal assistance to someone who has committed a felony.

These legal definitions explain the nature of the charges but do not establish that any particular defendant committed the alleged conduct.

All five individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

An Investigation That Continues

Although the children have returned to their father, the criminal proceedings remain ongoing.

The latest arrests raise questions about what investigators believe happened during the period when the siblings were missing, including whether others knowingly provided assistance.

However, the public information released to date does not establish exactly what actions the four newly charged individuals allegedly took.

Erie County Blotter will not speculate about evidence, alleged conversations, private family matters or the possible involvement of individuals who have not been publicly identified by authorities.

Those determinations belong to investigators, prosecutors and ultimately the courts.

Erie County Blotter: Keeping the Children First

Throughout this case, Erie County Blotter has followed the search, the children’s recovery and the community’s efforts to support their family.

Following their safe return, the emphasis shifted toward giving the children the privacy, stability and opportunity to enjoy their childhood that they deserve.

Our involvement with the family’s community support efforts reinforced the importance of allowing the children to move forward without being subjected to unnecessary public attention.

As this case proceeds through the courts, we ask our readers to remember that two young children remain at the center of these events.

They deserve compassion, dignity and privacy.

The criminal justice process must be allowed to proceed based on evidence rather than rumors, accusations or social media speculation.

The children are home. The investigation continues. And the focus must remain on their well-being.

Erie County Blotter will continue following verified developments from the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police and the courts.

Sources and reporting

• New York State Police: Original May 15 missing-children notice
• August 12 New York State Police recovery statement, reproduced by Video News Service
• 13WHAM: Four more people charged, October 2, 2026
• The Daily News: Four charged in connection with missing children case
• New York State Penal Law §§ 135.50, 105.05 and 205.55.

© 2026 Erie County Blotter | ErieCoBlotter.com

This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available.