Two kidnapped children were found safe Tuesday after their mother’s ex-boyfriend shot and wounded their grandfather and took off with the youngsters, authorities said.
The alleged kidnapper, Terrance McDowell, 27, surrendered hours later to police in Greensboro, N.C., FBI Agent Stephen Emmett said.
The children, 5-year-old Jaquan Wright and 4-year-old Faith McDowell, were found with McDowell’s sister in Greensboro, said Clayton County Police Capt. Tim Robinson. The children had not been harmed, police said.
McDowell is accused of forcing his way into his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend’s home in suburban Atlanta about 3 a.m., raping her and shooting her 64-year-old father in the head and chest. He then fled with the children in her car, Robinson said.
McDowell is the father of the 4-year-old girl but not the boy, he said.
The children’s mother was treated at a hospital and released; her father was in critical condition.
“My kids are OK,” the woman said at a news conference. “I’m anxious to get my babies.”
On Sunday, the woman reported McDowell had broken into her home and hit her several times in the face, Robinson said. She tried to have an arrest warrant issued Monday, but a hearing was set for a later date.
“I never knew he would get to this point,” she said. “I just want everybody to know, anybody going through the same situation, it’s OK to get help.”