Email
Print
Adoptive father facing additional charges
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 6, 2009
The adoptive father of two girls who were reported missing by their mother last month is now charged with statutory rape, incest and taking indecent liberties with a minor.
Lincoln County investigators served the felony warrants on Matthew Hess, 40, at the Iredell County Jail on Monday, according to the Gaston Gazette. His bond was set at $1 million.
Hess had be in custody on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child neglect.
The girls' mother reported them missing on Sept. 23 after Hess left a note saying he was taking them to the store before school. The girls were located in Tennessee seven days later after a motorist spotted Hess' SUV and alerted state troopers.
The oldest girl, who is 12, gave birth to a child shortly after being found in Tennessee, where they were placed in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Social Services.
The birth of that child provided Lincoln County authorities with evidence that led them to file the additional charges against Hess, according to the Gaston Gazette.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
