HITCHCOCK — Two children with special needs have been safely recovered following a multi-state investigation that began after authorities said they were taken from their legal guardian in violation of an emergency court order.

According to the Hitchcock Police Department, officers launched an investigation Saturday, July 18, after receiving information that the two children had been removed from their legal guardian in Hitchcock.

Police said investigators worked with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate the children, who were ultimately found safe in North Dakota.

A Hitchcock police officer has since taken custody of the children from North Dakota Child Protective Services, and the girls are being returned to Texas. Officials said Texas EquuSearch provided transportation assistance to help reunite the children with their legal guardian.

As a result of the investigation, the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office accepted two kidnapping charges against a suspect. Police said the suspect remains in custody awaiting extradition to Galveston County. Bond has been set at $100,000.

Authorities did not release the suspect’s identity or additional details because the investigation remains active.

The Hitchcock Police Department credited the Texas Center for the Missing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Morton County Sheriff’s Office in North Dakota, North Dakota Child Protective Services and Texas EquuSearch for assisting in the investigation.

Police said the children have been safely recovered and are returning home.