12 Year-Old Pregnant Girl Keara Hess and Sister Sierra, 11, Missing After Stepfather, Mathew Hess, Leaves Note Saying He's Taking Them to School

SISTERS FOUND SAFE IN TENNESSEE!!!

The search has intensified for Sierra Hess, 11, and her sister Keara, 12, who is nine months pregnant, and have been missing since Thursday. According to the Charlotte Observer, Iredell Sheriff's Office Lt. Julie Gibson said the sheriff's office is under order to turn the girls over to the Department of Social Services when they are found. She also added that, "DSS was involved with the family before we were," Gibson said. She didn't know all the details, but at least part of the reason was Keara's "medical needs."

According to media reports, the girls are believed to be with their adoptive father, Matthew Hess, who left a note for the girl s' mother, saying he was taking them to school that day. The girls go to Lakeshore Middle School in Mooresville and are in sixth and seventh grades.

Besides the fact that it is a shame that a 12-year old child is pregnant, one has to wonder what the adoptive father's motivation for running off is? In any case, I am sure the facts will be revealed once they are found, and we hope, safe.

UPDATE#1: According to media reports, investigators think Matthew Hess may be driving a brown or tan 1993 Ford Explorer with North Carolina license plate YTE-8014. The back right passenger window is broken out and is covered with Plexiglass, which is duct-taped in place.

Anyone who sees Hess or the girls should call the Iredell County Sheriff's Office at 704-878-3100.