The New York City Police Department has requested assistance from numerous South Carolina law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, in finding eight missing children that may be in South Carolina.

Shanel Nadal, 28, and John Nephra Payne, 34, who lost custody of their children in 2009, are accused of unlawfully taking them from a foster care facility in New York City on September 19, 2011. Both Nadal and Payne have ties to the Lowcountry area of South Carolina.

Investigators believe that Nadal and Payne may be driving a late model black Ford passenger van, but they have no information on the tag number.

The youngest child, Nefertiti Payne, is one year old. The other seven children, all boys, range in age from 4 to 11, and are all named after their father, Nephra Payne, with different middle names.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the children or the parents is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers may remain anonymous, and may be entitled to a cash reward.