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Missing Mooresville girls found
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Published: September 30, 2009
Updated: 09/30/2009 12:15 pm
The two missing Iredell County girls who disappeared with their father a week ago have been located in Smith County, Tenn., and are OK, according to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office.
Sierra, 11, and Keara, 12, and their father Matthew Charles Hess disappeared Wednesday night. Keara is still pregnant, said Sheriff Lt. Julie Gibson.
Matthew Hess is in custody and warrants have been issued for child abuse and child neglect. Matthew will be awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.
Hess' green 1993 Ford Explorer was stopped on Interstate 40 heading west this morning, according to the Smith County Sheriff's office.
The girls were last seen Wednesday around 9 p.m. at their home near Mooresville.
Iredell County's Department of Social Services has a case open.
Lisa York said she could not comment on the specifics of the case, but "we would worry that the children's medical needs are met," she said.
"In any situation where a young child is suspected of being sexually abused you do an investigation. We work with the Dove House and sheriff's office to do this in the most delicate way possible," York said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Regarding charges, York said there are different statutes depending on the perpetrator.
"You have to explore the realm of possibilities of who the father is," York said. "Sometimes it is hard to narrow that down depending on the family's cooperation."
"We are very excited that they have been found," she said.
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