Local news is reporting he was sighted in Seven Springs...store clerk could not verify if the baby was with him. This area is very local to me. He could take backroads to Oak Island versus I40 but either way he would surely be there by now if that’s where he is going.
As an aside, Seven Springs and the surrounding area creeps me out. This part of the state is very rural and generally friendly but the few experiences I’ve had there were not good. In fact in 2 instances I felt I was in danger. Years ago my aunt and I got caught in a hail storm. We pulled under the shelter of what appeared to be an abandoned country store to keep the car from getting damaged. No other cars were there, windows of the building had been painted over, no signs of life. we weren’t there a solid minute before men started coming out of the building and just stood and stared us down. We took off. I looked back and there must have been 25 men standing outside the building at that point.
Second time was just a year ago. I was taking my ex to look at a rehab facility. We got lost of course but did not dare to stop and ask for directions. The few people we did see just stared as if they dared us to make a wrong move. And the “facility” was more like a sweatshop. It was incredibly hot and humid that day so I went to the car, as there was no ac anywhere at this place (very odd considering how hot our summers are). The ex whispered to me to park the car so I couldn’t get blocked in, lock the doors and leave if anyone approached the car. We made it out in one piece but we both had the impression something illegal was going on for multiple reasons. And add to that we saw not one woman or child during either of these escapades. Very, very strange place.
I say all that to say this. While this area is not a welcoming place, I feel like this man, with his history would fit right in. Hope that sweet little nugget is found safe.
