ST. JAMES PARISH, La. – A missing brother and sister from North Carolina are in the process of being reunited with their family following an overnight collaborative effort between Louisiana State Police and law enforcement authorities in Winston-Salem, NC.
The 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl were found to be in the company of their uncle, Jose Melchor of Clemmons, 40, while being unlawfully transported out of the country.
The search for the two missing teens in Louisiana began shortly after 10 p.m. Monday as LSP Troop B was contacted by the Winston-Salem Police Department about the abduction.
Investigative efforts led authorities to believe that Melchor was traveling west on Interstate 10 through the New Orleans area while possibly headed to Mexico.
Upon receiving the information, Troopers immediately took positions along the interstate route and successfully located the group traveling in a 2004 Nissan pickup near the St. James / St. John the Baptist Parish line.
Both children were found to be unharmed, and Melchor was taken into custody without incident.
Melchor was subsequently booked into the St. James Parish Jail on two felony counts of Child Abduction.
He is currently waiting on extradition to North Carolina. The children were taken to a safe location and plan to reunite them with family members are being coordinated Tuesday.
“Once again strong working relationships with our public safety partners from across the country has led to the successful and safe resolution of a dangerous situation,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent.
“Two children will soon be back in the arms of their loved ones due to the proactive and vigilant police work of our Troopers. I am continually proud of our agency’s accomplishments and dedication to public safety in Louisiana.”