911 tip led to Shook and missing Tennessee teen, Hayleigh Wilson

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ATKINS (WSLS 10) - The U.S. Marshals Service said a 5 a.m. call to 911 led to the arrest 41-year-old Benjamin Shook and rescue of 14-year-old Hayleigh Wilson.

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The Amber Alert for the missing Tennessee teen was been canceled after the two were found in Smyth County.

The Smyth County Sheriff's Office said a woman called 911 after Shook and Wilson came to her house and asked for refuge Tuesday morning. The USMS said officers arrived at the woman's home within minutes of the call and safely rescued Wilson and arrested Shook, a known sexual predator.

In a release from the USMS, it thanked the public and the person who called in the tip, saying, "We are grateful the public paid attention to our wanted posters and notifications. Thanks to a vigilant eyewitness who provided the crucial call to the Smyth County Sheriff's office, their quick response led to the immediate arrest of Shook. Now, Hayleigh is safe and her alleged captor is behind bars."

Both were taken to the Smyth County Sheriff's Office in Marion. The sheriff's office said Shook was interviewed by investigators about the two weeks he spent on the run with Wilson.

Authorities said Shook and Wilson were living in the woods to remain undetected by search crews. They also said the two potentially broke into places and stole food while living off the land.

During a news conference late Tuesday morning, authorities said Shook was being transported to the Southwest Regional Jail in Washington County for booking and charges. U.S. Marshals would then take Shook back to the Greeneville Federal Courthouse in Tennessee for his first court appearance.

The USMS said Wilson was safe and appeared to be unharmed. Officials said doctors examined Wilson as a precaution. They were unable to speculate on Wilson's intentions, or confirm if she was abused.

The initial Amber Alert for Wilson was sent out on June 23, 2015. The two had been spotted in Smyth County during the first week of July, after the car they were believed to be traveling in was recovered in Grayson County in late June.

Wilson was last seen with Shook in Smyth County during the first week of July and there was an unconfirmed sighting of the pair in Rural Retreat on or around July 1, 2015.

The USMS said President Obama signed legislation giving it new authority to help state, local and federal agencies to located a missing child. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was signed in May and allows the Marshals Service to immediately support missing child cases. It has helped the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the recovery of more than 600 missing children since 2003.

WJHL contributed to this report.