Cartersville Police Department Capt. Michael Stewart said Monday the man was apprehended in a presumed traffic stop Friday night near El Paso. The two girls have been returned to the county, although details on who has taken custody were limited.
According to a CPD incident report, an officer was dispatched to the Department of Family and Children Services in reference to custodial interference last Tuesday. The complainant said the father of DeShae and Breanna Smith failed to return the girls at 12:30 p.m. According to the report, the the father picked the girls up from A Better Way Advocacy Center, 104 Douglas St., at 8:30 a.m. for a four-hour visit. The father did not return at 12:30 and could not be reached by DFCS.
The officer was provided with a copy of an court order that stated that the children were currently in the custody of the state. A warrant was issued for interference with child custody.
More information is forthcoming. Stewart said he is awaiting an incident report from the Texas agency responsible for the man's capture, and details will follow.