Missing Alexander County Couple Located In Virginia, In Police Custody

The Latest:

Authorities say Carl Dotson and his girlfriend, Brandi Risden, were located outside a motel in Wytheville, Virginia.  The couple has been taken into custody and are facing state charges in Virginia.  They are also awaiting extradition to North Carolina.

The Latest:

Authorities say they have safely located the missing baby in West Virginia.  The child was found with family members.  Carl Dotson and his girlfriend, Brandi Risden, are still on the run.  Deputies say this is an active investigation.

Original Story:

TAYLORSVILLE, NC — An Alexander County man facing several assault charges is now missing, along with his girlfriend and their four-month-old daughter.

Deputies say they were unable to find Carl Dotson, 48, Tuesday while trying to serve a Failure to Appear warrant on him at his home on Lindsey Bebber Road. During their investigation, officials say they learned Dotson’s girlfriend, Brandi Risden and their four-month-old child were also missing.

Dotson is currently facing charges of Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury and Assault By Strangulation, but officials have not yet confirmed whether those charges involved Risden. However, officials do say a Domestic Violence Protection order issued by Risden is currently active against Dotson and stems from prior domestic incidents at the home.

Though details regarding their disappearance are scarce at this time, investigators say Dotson, Risden, and the baby were last known to be driving a burgundy 1995 Dodge pickup with North Carolina plate number FAN-3221.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-1111.