Missing man, kids located in Arkansas

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: 

Sheriff Dennis Darby said Samuel Dowden and his two daughters have been located.

Authorities were looking for them to check on their welfare since they hadn't been heard from since Saturday and Dowden's phone was turned off.

Baleigh, 4, and Madelyn, 2, were panhandling when a North Little Rock police officer noticed them and recognized that they were the missing children.

Darby said the children's mother is going to pick them up. At this time the parents are still legally married, so there will be no charges pressed.

ORIGINAL STORY: 

Authorities in Panola County are asking for the public's help in ascertaining the welfare of a man and his two daughters.

Samuel Dowden, 35, and his daughters Baleigh, 4, and Madelyn, 2, were last seen Saturday in the Rock Hill Road area of Sardis. Sheriff Dennis Darby said they were believed to be headed home to Little Rock, Arkansas, after visiting relatives in Sardis, and as of Tuesday evening they still have not been heard from.

Dowden's phone is not working, leading to concern for their welfare, Darby said.

Dowden is a black male, around 5'6" tall and about 136 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Baleigh is three feet tall and 32 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Madelyn is two feet tall, 25 pounds, and has curly black hair and brown eyes.

The three are believed to be traveling in a brown 2003 Chevrolet Blazer bearing Arkansas plate 169 WYC.

"We just need him to call in and let us know everything's okay," Darby said.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Samuel, Baleigh and Madelyn Dowden should contact the Panola County Sheriff’s Department at 662-563-6230.

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.