Chilling new audio has revealed fugitive father Travis Decker pleading for more custody time to go camping with his daughters, just months before he was accused of brutally murdering them at a campsite.
In the audio, which is from a September 2024 custody hearing, Decker makes an eerie promise that no harm would come to the girls if hes given more time to take them camping in Washington States wilderness.
Decker, who remains wanted and on the run, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping after he disappeared with Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, during a court-ordered visitation on May 30.
Their bodies were were found near Rock Island Campground on June 2, with Deckers abandoned truck also discovered near the scene.
His visitation time with the girls had earlier been reduced after his ex-wife raised concerns over his declining mental health, alleged endangerment, and lack of stability.
She was given near-full custody while Decker was only allowed to visit every other weekend for a set number of hours. Frustrated with the lack of time with his daughters, Decker pled with a family court judge to restore access to the girls - claiming hed never put them in danger.
Every time Ive had the girls, we have been in campsites and national forests and paid campsites that have campers, he said in the audio.
Weve never done anything that was unsafe, or anything I wouldnt want to put myself in.
Decker, who is now missing in Washington state s wilderness, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping after allegedly murdered his three daughters (pictured)
Terrifying new audio has revealed fugitive father Travis Decker (pictured) pleading for more time with his daughters before he was accused of brutally murdering them
I understand that my current position when Im by myself isnt ideal, but my daughters arent a part of that, Decker continued.
I only get to see them over the weekends, and camping is something that the four of us have done since the three of them were in diapers.
He emphasized again that hes never put his daughters at risk - and brings them to camp sights that are sold out.
Ive never done anything I feel like that puts them in any sort of a risk ... that most families in the state of Washington, every campsite weve been to in the last month have been almost completely booked out or sold out because everybodys out this time of year.
When I stepped away from the National Guard I was making $86,000 a year and now I make I think its like $38,000 a year. When you start over from zero and you dont have help in a hand to get you through it makes it a little more difficult.
The judge responded, stating, Thats not stable ... Whether its an RV, a tent, an Airbnb or motel - thats not stability for these children. Thats always a concern for the court.
In the audio, Decker tells the judge that he should have the opportunity to be there for his daugthers.
I already only get a day and a half, two days, with my daughters, and its two nights, Decker says in the audio. Its a Friday night, Saturday night, and because of my current job and the current location, Im in Idaho working.
Where the work is, is where I come, and through the new parenting plan, it takes away basically all my opportunities to be around the girls when Im not at work.
Travis Decker (pictured) showed violent tendencies after his brother and father staged an intervention following Travis apparent financial abandonment of his family
The young childrens bodies of Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were discovered dumped in a remote, wooded area about 30 miles from Rock Island Campground in Washington
Thomas Decker (pictured with wife Jessica) spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail about his brothers alarming change in behavior over the past three years and issued a desperate plea for Travis to turn himself in
I feel like I should be able to be there for them and not have to find my way to be around my daughters.
The young childrens bodies were discovered dumped in a remote, wooded area about 30 miles from Rock Island Campground in Washington.
Decker had a history of escalating violence, according to his brother who revealed Travis violent reaction when his family attempted to hold an intervention.
Thomas, 35, told the Daily Mail exclusively that his brothers actions are unrecognizable from when they were children and begged him to stop this evil and turn himself in after the bodies of his children were found.