CHEROKEE, N.C. -- Two fathers in Cherokee are hoping a long, emotional custody battle may be coming to an end, and that they'll soon be reunited with their children, after an arrest is made.

Reed Mattocks and Donnie Owle have children with Shira Mattocks, who they say disappeared with their three kids last November.

They say Shira left with her mother, Teresa Arneach Lovins, along with the young kids, James and Sam Owle, and a baby girl, Grace Arneach.

Investigators say Lovins went to her house in Cherokee Wednesday to pick up some things. Police were waiting and arrested her.

Reed is Grace's father. He's traveling halfway across the state to get to Cherokee in hopes that Shira too will be caught and all the kids will be found safe and sound.

"As far as we know all the children are physically OK," Reed said. "They do need some medical attention and we're afraid they have not been getting medical attention due to being on the run."

Reed says his estranged wife took off after losing custody of the children due to her alleged drug use.

"My estranged wife became addicted to opiates during the pregnancy with my daughter and that's what led to our separation," Reed told News 13. "I tried to get her help but she refused it."

Reed says he's never met his daughter and says the last several months have been a nightmare.

"The latest picture I've seen of her is when she was 3 months old."

Shira faces charges of failure to obey a lawful order and custodial interference.

Lovins is in the Cherokee jail with no bond and is charged with aiding and abetting custodial interference and criminal conspiracy.


By Rex Hodge

Follow Rex on Twitter @RexHodgeWLOS

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