CONVENT - Two abducted teenagers from North Carolina were rescued and will be reunited with their family later today after Louisiana State Police arrested their uncle on I-10.

State Police released the details of the case around lunchtime Tuesday. Troopers said Jose Melchor, 40, of Clemmons, NC, was attempting to transport the 15-year-old male and 13-year-old female siblings out of the country illegally.

State Police were notified by authorities in North Carolina late Monday that the teenagers had been abducted and it was believed they were traveling west on I-10 toward Mexico. Troopers took positions along I-10 between New Orleans and areas south of Baton Rouge and found the vehicle the kids and Melchor were believed to be traveling in.

Authorities were able to stop the vehicle near the St. James / St. John the Baptist parish line shortly after 10 p.m. Monday. Both children were found to be unharmed and Melchor was taken into custody without incident, State Police said in a news release.

"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," Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent, said in a statement.

Melchor was 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 will be reunited with family members soon.

The Winston Salem Police Department told WBRZ later, the kids planned for weeks to run away with their uncle to Mexico, however the children were not old enough to decide to run away so Melchor was charged. 

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