UPDATE 9 a.m.

According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, at 12:10 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to U.S. 183 and Saline River Road in Ellis County to a reported aggravated assault. Upon arrival, the reporting person and biological mother reported that the biological father of her two children — 1-year-old Cadenn McDowell and 3-year-old Mason McDowell — had intentionally forced her to stop on U.S. 183 and then intentionally drove into her vehicle to disable it.

The suspect, Bryce McDowell, 33, Plainville, then allegedly removed the children from the backseat of her vehicle and drove away.

Law enforcement was initially unable to locate McDowell, which promoted a statewide Amber Alert. Just after 7 a.m. Wednesday, McDowell was located and taken into custody in Rooks County, just west of Webster Lake. The two children, who are reportedly safe, were also taken into the state’s custody, all without further incident.

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office, Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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UPDATE 8:30 a.m.

According to law enforcement officials, 33-year-old Bryce McDowell is in custody after an alleged abduction of two Hays children.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, an Amber Alert was issued for 1-year-old Cadenn McDowell and 3-year-old Mason McDowell who were forcibly removed from a vehicle in Ellis County after it was ran off the road.

Bryce McDowell’s red 2008 Chevy Silverado was located in Rooks County, and the children were recovered and are safe.

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UPDATE 7:10 AM
According to the Hays Police Department:
The Amber Alert has been cancelled. The children have been located and are safe. Thank you for your assistance.

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UPDATE 6:25 AM from the KBI

On 06-28-2017, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office (ELSO) requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation activate the Kansas Amber Alert system.

ELSO reported that Bryce Jay McDowell had used force to take Cadenn and Mason McDowell from their mother in Ellis County, Ks north of the City of Hays. Cadenn is reportedly wearing “Cars” pajamas and Mason is wearing “Mickey Mouse” pajamas.

The children were taken in a red 2008 Chevy Pickup bearing Ks tag: 120GZV. The truck has black wheels and a black push bumper.

The photos shown were provided by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office of Cadenn and Mason. We have been informed that the picture is showing Mason, however this is not a picture of Cadenn. We are working to get an updated photo of Cadenn.

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UPDATE 5:15 AM

Ellis County authorities have received a public report of  what’s believed to be Bryce Jay McDowell’s pickup leaving Love’s truck stop in Ellis and driving eastbound on Interstate 70.

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An Amber Alert has been issued by Kansas authorities for two children who were abducted out of Hays early Wednesday morning.

The two young boys are Cadennn Lee McDowell, 16 months, and Mason Jay McDowell, 3, and believed to be in danger.

The suspect is Bryce Jay McDowell, 33, 5′ 8″ tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a 2008 red Chevy Silverado pickup with Kansas license plate 120GZV. The pickup has a black aluminum flatbed with black rims, a black push bumper and damage to the driver’s side.

Authorities say McDowell ran the boys’ mother’s vehicle off the road, then forcefully removed the two children at 2:48 a.m. today.

McDowell is known to carry a rifle, but authorities do not know if he has it with him.

If you have any information, call 911.