BRADLEY COUNTY — Jhovana Short is in custody. The Bradley County Sheriff's Office took her into custody for contempt of court following her return to the United States from Canada.

Short, her 15-year-old daughter Madison Scoggins, and her 8-year-old daughter Greigh Short had been the subject of a missing persons investigation that was originally reported in May 2025. The girls were placed on Tennessee's List of Missing Children during the search.

Short and her daughters eventually returned to the area in anticipation of potential upcoming civil court proceedings tied to the case. Upon her return, authorities detained the 35-year-old mother. Madison Scoggins and Greigh Short are safe. The girls are currently with family members.

The Bradley County Sheriff's Office provided limited details regarding the detention and the conclusion of the search. "Due to ongoing civil court proceedings, this is all of the information the Bradley County Sheriff's Office is able to release regarding this matter at this time," the Bradley County Sheriff's Office stated. The agency also addressed the community response to the long-running case. "The Bradley County Sheriff's Office appreciates the public's concern and assistance throughout this matter," the Bradley County Sheriff's Office stated.

The resolution of this case closes a missing persons investigation that spanned more than a year and crossed international borders. The involvement of civil court proceedings indicates that the custody and legal status of the children were central to the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and eventual recovery. The safe location of the minors allows law enforcement to focus on the legal proceedings involving Short, while the children remain in the care of relatives.