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Pitt County siblings at center of Amber Alert found safe, officials say; suspect in custody

A Pitt County brother and sister were found safe on Saturday morning hours after authorities issued a statewide Amber Alert for the children.

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Tyzira Donte Jones and Tyana Yevette Jones
GREENVILLE, N.C. — A Pitt County brother and sister were found safe on Saturday morning hours after authorities issued a statewide Amber Alert for the children.

Authorities issued the Amber Alert for Tyzira Donte Jones, 7, and Tyana Yevette Jones, 5, who were believed to be with 31-year-old Terrence Devin Jones. Officials said the children were found late Saturday morning at Terrence Jones' apartment.

Pitt County deputies responded Friday evening to a call at a home on Nathaniel Drive in Greenville where a the mother of the two kids was assaulted by Jones. Authorities said Jones tried to drag the woman into a vehicle, but she was able to escape.

Terrence Jones then took the woman's phone and left the residence with the two children. Deputies said Jones threatened to kill himself and the children—he reiterated the threat to an out-of-state relative.

Authorities later located Jones and the children at the couple's residence on Concord Drive in Greenville, where deputies were able to contact Jones on the phone. After a brief standoff, officers were able to get the kids out of the home safely while Jones was distracted.

Terrence Jones was taken into custody, officials said. He was charged with attempted kidnapping, domestic assault and communicating threats.

Terrance Devin Jones

Anyone with information on the abduction or the whereabouts of Tyzira Jones or Tyana Jones should call the Pitt County Sheriff's Office at 252-830-4141, 911 or *HP immediately.

No other information or details on the incident have been released.

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