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SMYRNA, DELAWARE (1/11/2013) Two missing Smyrna-area children have been found safe in Indiana, but Delaware State Police issued a Gold Alert for their missing mother, Keisha S. Hamilton, saying there is concern for her safety, and obtained a warrant charging the father with assault.
Police were canvassing the Twin Willows neighborhood south of Smyrna this afternoon where she was last seen Friday night.
Colette Hamilton, 4, and Cortez Hamilton Jr., 4 months, were found with their father, Cortez A. Hamilton Sr., 32, about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Hamilton Sr., of Smyrna, was being held in Warrick County Jail in Indiana on warrants from Delaware charging him with assault with bodily injury and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Indiana State Police said. This afternoon, Delaware State Police said Hamilton was still awaiting an extradition hearing.
Indiana police say the father and two children were found on Interstate 64 in the southwestern part of the state about a half hour after troopers received information from Delaware State Police that they were possibly heading to St. Louis, Missouri.
Troopers pulled over a red Chevrolet Suburban with a Delaware license plate and took the three into custody without incident.
The children were placed in custody of the Warrick County Division of Child Services.
The children and their mother had been missing from their home in 100 block of E. Cayhill Lane since 10 p.m. Friday, and Delaware State Police issued an Amber Alert for the children late Saturday afternoon.
The Amber Alert was canceled after the children were located.
Police described Keisha Hamilton as black, 5-feet-6, 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on her is asked to call Sgt. David L. Weaver at 302-741-2728.
Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-847-3333 or www.submit.com.