John Skelton, whose three sons went missing last fall while in his custody, was sentenced to 10 to 15 years on Thursday, above the state guidelines.

Skelton pleaded no contest in the case to unlawful imprisonment in the disappearance of his sons Andrew, Alexander and Tanner whose ages were 9, 7, and 5, according to Reuters. The boys haven't been found and there have been widespread searches in southeast Michigan and northwestern Ohio in hopes of finding them.

Skelton also got credit for 289 days already served.

The Detroit Free Press reported that Lenawee County Circuit Judge Margaret M.S. Noe called the 43 to 86 months sentencing guidelines grossly inadequate.

The Free Press article also noted that Noe said that for months Skelton refused to return his sons and has told many conflicting stories.

After the boys' disappearance, Skelton told police that he had left the boys with a female acquaintance and gave her instructions to care for the three boys because he had planned to commit suicide, according to Reuters.

But police have said that wasn't true, and the Morenci police chief has said he believes Skelton killed the boys, according to Reuters.

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