updated 1:33 PM EST, Wed November 30, 2011  Michelle Parker was last seen driving near Orlando on November 17.  Editor's note: Check CNN affiliate WKMG-TV for updates on the search for Michelle Parker.  Orlando (CNN) -- A Florida judge ruled Wednesday that a missing woman's 3-year-old twins must be returned to their father, saying there is not enough evidence for state child welfare officials to keep them.  The state Department of Children and Families placed the twins in protective custody Tuesday night. Authorities say their father, Dale Smith, is the primary focus of a police investigation into the disappearance of their mother, Michelle Parker.  Smith and Parker, who were engaged at one time, had joint custody of the twins.  The child welfare agency argued in a hearing Wednesday that the children were taken from their father because there was a risk of harm, alleging Smith was abusive to the children and Parker.  Relatives of both Smith and Parker were in the courtroom. Parker's mother, Yvonne Stewart, broke into tears when 9th Circuit Judge Thomas W. Turner said, "We all pray for her safe return... We pray that she is alive."  Parker and Smith appeared on an episode of "The People's Court" that aired hours before Parker was reported missing on November 17.  Meanwhile, authorities Wednesday were searching an area near Lake Ellenor in southern Orange County as part of the investigation into Parker's disappearance, according to CNN affiliate WKMG-TV.  Carrie Hoeppner with the Department of Children and Families said the agency got involved with the case November 19 after it received calls on its abuse hotline alleging past domestic violence incidents between Smith and Parker.  The children were interviewed on several occasions before the agency decided to take them into custody, Hoeppner said.  Parker was last seen driving near Orlando shortly after "The People's Court" segment that had been taped months earlier aired. Her last known communication was a brief, seemingly innocuous text message to her brother that same day, according to the Facebook page devoted to her case.  Parker's sister, Lauren Erickson, said Parker and Smith met about five years ago. They were estranged, and "The People's Court" episode revolved around their dispute over who'd get a $5,000 engagement ring, with Judge Marilyn Milian eventually suggesting they split the proceeds and stay apart.  On Tuesday, Smith's attorney brushed off suggestions that the "People's Court" episode could have provided a motive for Smith to harm Parker.  "He didn't look bad. He won," Mark Nejame said. "So there's no motive ...There's not like saying, 'Ah, I looked like an idiot in front of the world because of what you put me through.'  "Mr. Smith wants Michelle found," Nejame told reporters. "He is specifically requesting and asking for a full-scale search team to come into central Florida. ...What guilty person would do such a thing?"  HLN's Stephen Loiaconi contributed to this report.  Most popular stories right now
Florida child welfare authorities will hold a hearing to decide whether to return Michelle Parker's kids to their father.