LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The man who disappeared with his two daughters in Sardis over the weekend has been found safe.
According to reports, the Samuel Downden, 4-year-old Baleigh, and 2-year-old Madelyn were found at a Little Rock hotel.
The father is not facing charges.
WREG has learned Dowden and his estranged wife, DeAngela Jackson, live in Little Rock.
While the two have separated, they have no custodial arrangement for the girls.
We spoke with Jackson Wednesday before the children were found, and she said above all else, she just wanted to know they were okay.
“I don’t know if they’re eating, have a roof over their heads. I don’t know anything.”
Investigators said Dowden took the girls from their Little Rock home to visit family in Sardis over the weekend.
Willie Dowden, Samuel’s uncle, said nothing seemed out of the ordinary when they were at his home Saturday.
“He is crazy about those children,” he said.
The three left Saturday evening, but when the girls’ mother showed up later that night looking for them, she knew something was wrong.
Jackson said Dowden sent her an email Sunday, saying he needed mental help.
“He needed help, because he did not know how to deal with life and the things that were going on with life,” she said.
“He showed no signs of irregularities. None whatsoever,” said Willie Dowden.
Family said this is not a kidnapping case and Dowden has every right to be with the girls.
However, they begged him to bring them back.
“If he’s got the kids hiding out somewhere, I pray to God that he’ll take them back and do the right thing,” said Willie Dowden.
“Please bring my babies home. It’s not going to change anything about visitation and things like that. That can be worked out through the courts. Just bring my babies home,” said Jackson.