A man suspected of taking his children without permission was taken into custody four hours later about 35 miles away. The children, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, are safe.

Stanislaus County sheriff's Deputy Royjindar Singh said the California Highway Patrol found Phillip Tumilty Sr. in Atwater on Friday afternoon.

A CHP officer spotted Tumilty's truck and pulled it over, Singh said. No further details on where Tumilty had been were available.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert after Tumilty took his children after an argument with his ex-wife.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the report came in as a family disturbance in the 4900 block of Brooklyn Court about 8 a.m.

Tumilty had been involved in an argument with his former wife, then said he would take the children to school. They didn't show up, and attempts to contact Tumilty were unsuccessful.

He does not have custody of the children, Tiffany and Phillip Jr. Authorities believe Tumilty may have been heading to Bakersfield.