Update: Missing Mooresville girls found in Tennessee

Sierra Hess

Keara Hess

Mathew Hess

According to Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond, the Hess family has been found in Tennessee.

The Tennessee authorities stopped the faded-green 1993 Ford Explorer that was broadcast across law enforcement agencies nationwide in a be-on-the-lookout-for message on a highway in Smith County Tennessee.

The two children, Keara Hess and Sierra Hess, were turned over to the Tennessee Department of Social Services. Both females were transported to a medical facility for examination.

Matthew Hess is soon to be in custody on warrants drawn by the Iredell County Sheriff's Office for child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Matthew will be awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

Further details from the sheriff will be posted this afternoon.

According to the N.C. Amber Alert system, this alert has been canceled.

No other information was provided.

The Post will update the story as information becomes available.

The Iredell County Sheriff`s Department is searching for two missing children: Keara Hess and Sierra Hess.

Keara Hess is a 12-year-old black female, approximately 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing 128 pounds. She has brown hair, and brown eyes. Keara is nine months pregnant and may be in need of immediate medical attention.

Sierra Hess is an 11-year-old black female, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 100 pounds. She has brown hair, and brown eyes.

The victims are believed to be with Mathew Charles Hess. Mathew Charles Hess is described as 40 years old, white, male, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. Charles has three tattoos, including a blue devil on his right upper arm, a heart with a ribbon going through it on his left upper arm and a blue dragon on his left forearm.

Both sisters are reportedly traveling with their adoptive father. They were last seen at their home near Mooresville on the morning of Sept. 24. Possible destinations include Fayetteville and the state of Tennessee. The vehicle is a green 1993 Ford Explorer with N.C. license tag number YTE-8014. The vehicle's back passenger window is reportedly broken and has been covered with Plexiglass and duct-taped in place.

If you have any information regarding this abduction, call the Iredell County Sheriff`s Department immediately at 704-924-4057, or call 911 or *HP.