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SALT LAKE CITY -- The parents of missing West Valley mother Susan Powell are expressing concerns about the welfare of their grandchildren and about some things their son-in-law's family is saying.
Charles and Judy Cox are speaking out as they visit Utah this weekend.
Charles Cox says he hasn't seen Susan's children since April and he is worried about them living with their father, Josh Powell, and grandfather Steve Powell.
"I'm not really concerned that they're warm or fed," Charles Cox said. "It's the social interaction and emotional support -- things that they need. I just don't think it's a good place for them to be."
In an interview with reporters Friday, Charles Cox said he has no power to try to gain custody of the children. He said is also concerned about what they know about the mother, who disappeared nine months ago.
"What's he telling them about her, or not telling them about her? It all concerns us," Charles Cox said.
Charles Cox also responded to claims Steve Powell made in an e-mail to ABC News earlier in the week. He wrote that Susan left, and she had displayed the "occasional tendency to lose control."
"It's ridiculous. I don't know where he got that from," Charles Cox said. "It's a clear attempt to deflect attention away from the real answer."
Charles Cox also questioned Josh's reported attempt to enroll in the PTA at Carson Elementary School in Puyallup, Wash.
He said he is suspicious about Josh's involvement in Susan's disappearance and echoed concerns stated by Josh's sister, Jennifer Graves.
"I would really hope that he didn't have anything to do with it," Charles Cox said. "When you investigate all other possibilities and you're still left with the one question, it kind of points in one direction. I mean, he needs to do something to help himself."
Charles and Judy Cox praised efforts by police to find Susan. They said while little new information has emerged, West Valley police continue to follow up leads.
The Cox family is in town for Ed Smart's "Ride for their Lives" Friday. They say Smart -- whose daughter was kidnapped in 2002 and then found nine months later -- has been a great support as they deal with sadness and uncertainty about what may have happened to Susan.
"We have to work as a community to do that; and that's what the Surviving Parents Coalition is doing, and we want to support him," Charles Cox said.
Charles and Judy Cox also said they are following Smart's example in using their experience to assist other parents who are dealing with a missing child.
"You turn to trying to help other people, because she's still missing but now there's somebody else missing, and we know what those families are going through," Charles Cox said.
The family has also planned a support gathering Sunday night at 6:30 in West Valley at the LDS Church located at 3930 S. 6000 West.
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Story compiled with contributions from Andrew Adams and Richard Piatt.
