Two Rusk, Texas Children Have Been Abducted, Amber Alert Issued

An Amber Alert has been issued for two East Texas children believed to have been abducted in Rusk, Texas. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help as they continue their search for Ashlynn Wells, Desmond Wells, and their suspected abductor, Jesse Ray Schmidt

According to officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, Ashlynn Wells is a white, 10-year-old female with a birthdate of February 1, 2011.  She is approximately five feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 109 pounds, she has blonde hair and blue eyes.  Ashlynn was last seen wearing a peach-colored T-shirt, peach shorts, and gray/pink Nike shoes.  She has dimples, a scar on her right ring finger, and a black birthmark on her left thigh.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is also searching for Desmond Wells III.  Desmond is a white, 11-year-old male with a birthdate of September 25, 2009.  He is five feet, five inches tall, weighs 154 pounds, he has blonde hair and brown eyes.  Desmond was last seen wearing a blue/black T-shirt, gray shorts, and Wolverine hiking boots.  He has a scar on his left shin.

In connection with this case, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department is searching for Jesse Ray Schmidt.  He is described as a white male, 32 years old, with a birthdate of May 15, 1989.  He is five feet, ten inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.  Schmidt has brown hair and hazel eyes.  This suspect is driving a black, 2012 Honda Civic with a Texas license plate number of BNX6155.  The suspect was last heard from in Rusk.

Law enforcement officials believe these children to be in grave or immediate danger.  If you have any information regarding this abduction, please call the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 903-683-2271, or your local law enforcement agency.