"I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house. "It's not a good feeling," said their biological father . "I cant comment on whether I think they're alive or not," Walker told KGET at the time. "There is a historical tie to the city of Bakersfield, with these boys," Sgt. Dean reported her concerns to the human services department, but no action was taken, the lawsuit says. They were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, the DA said. When the Wests reported the boys were missing to the California City Police Department, volunteers and law enforcement, including the FBI, conducted an exhaustive search of the remote area, but turned up nothing. Orrin and Orson West are still missing and there have been no promising leads that we know of. 1:40. . Orrin and Orson went missing from their adoptive parents home. Kern County District Attorney's Office via AP, Biological mom of two brothers allegedly killed by adoptive parents files lawsuit, two California brothers alleged to have been killed by their adoptive parents, should be considered innocent until proven guilty. What evidence does the police have to accuse the Wests of murder? Pair, said. The brothers, Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, had been put up for adoption by their biological mother, Ryan Dean, shortly after they were born, KBAK/KBFX reports. ", Terry added, "We now realize that the search for the boys began after the real tragedy had already occurred.". The couple say they began fostering Orrin and Orson in 2018 and officially completed the adoption . Since joining The Times in 2020, Seidman has served on the breaking news and utility desks, wheres she written about Indigenous communities, wildfires threatening giant trees and fishing the L.A. River. Florida man blames Putin for why he was speeding during tr Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. Brothers who were reported missing on Monday, Dec 21st by their adoptive parents, Trezell West & Jaqueline West. A motions hearing in the case of Trezell and . Orrin and Orson West have been missing since December 2020. Trezell West said he had gone looking for firewood and that . The outlet reported that authorities brought in cadaver dogs to the Wests home and excavated the yard. Orrin and Orson's adoptive parents were arrested under the murder charges. The Wests told police that the boys were last seen playing in their backyard. Orrin and Orsons adoptive parents were arrested on murder charges. Orson & Orrin West (3&4), MEDIA, MAPS & TIMELINE - Websleuths I looked down the street in both directions; it was getting dark, getting cold.". "This is not a resolution in this case and there will not be a resolution completely in this case until these boys are brought home," Terry said. Orrin was just 4 years old and Orson was 3 years old went they both went missing. Thats when Trezell called 911. As we, the extended adoptive family, face uncertainty of their whereabouts we are both grieving and deeply dedicated to the search for the boys. Police investigators previously said the Wests were not suspects. Missing toddlers Orrin and Orson West are shown in undated family photos. Adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West due in court Cinsere, then 3 months old, was removed from his mother's care in 2016 after Dean said she came home and found him "crying uncontrollably," according to the lawsuit, filed June 17, which alleges civil rights violation and wrongful death. The couple appeared on local media in the early days after the reported disappearance to raise awareness. Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry discussed the tragic twist in what began as a missing children case. The grand jury proceedings lasted about three months, and the jurors heard from more than 50 witnesses. Adoptive father of missing Cal City boys charged - News More than 50 witnesses testified as part of the indictment, and much of those witnesses testimony was extremely emotional, said Eric Smith, supervisor of the district attorneys homicide unit. Family of missing toddlers speaks out, says they're public targets visit https://socaltelevision.com/channels/abc23-bakersfield and FOLLOW @SoCalTelevision They both pleaded not guilty to all charges. Almost 15 months ago, Orrin and Orson West's adoptive parents told police the young boys disappeared from the family's Southern California yard, authorities said. I looked down the street in both directions; it was getting dark, getting cold.". "It's like people don't realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are," West said. "There is clear and convincing evidence that both defendants are a significant and substantial risk to public safety," Judge Chad Louie said during the arraignment and ordered that the couple be held without bail at the Kern County Jail. "This morning, I'm saddened to announce that the investigation has revealed that Orrin and Orson West are deceased," Zimmer said at a news conference Wednesday. "The fact that law enforcement has not found their bodies does not preclude a murder prosecution," Zimmer said. That reward, initially offered at $30,000 by extended members of the West family, has increased to $120,000 -- contributed by multiple parties. Kern County District Attorneys Office/Facebook, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "I don't have not one evil bone in my body, and for this to happen to me, it's a lot for me," Dean said. Still Missing - CA - Classic (Orson West, 3) & Cincere (Orrin West, 4 British Lawmakers Urging For Russia Today Ban In The U.K. Did the PA Police just find the murder weapon in the Bryan Kohberger Idaho Four, GUILTY! Their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, have been charged with their deaths. They had American nationality. Orrin and Orson West had a sad start to life. Orson and Orrin West's parents have been cooperating with police. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Two young brothers died three months before their adoptive parents, who have been arrested on murder charges, reported them missing in late 2020, the Kern County . "I do suspect foul play. UPDATED: 3/1/2022 at 11:18 PM. A more than a yearlong investigation ensued, continuing into the grand jury hearing, which began about three months ago, officials said. Bakersfield Police, which led the case, and the FBI were also part of the investigation. They were arrested by Bakersfield police at about 7 p.m. Tuesday. "The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.". Adoptive Parents Charged With Murder In Disappearance Of 2 Kern County "However, I would like to emphasize that the fact that law enforcement has not found their bodies does not preclude a murder prosecution," Zimmer said. Orrin and Orson were born to Charles Pettus ( Biological Father ). On Dec. 21 . LTD. where I have been working since July 2021. The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.. "I just feel like I didnt deserve this," Dean said at a news conference Tuesday. Their biological mothers name is not known. Trezell and Jacqueline West who told police in December 2020 that their adoptive children, Orrin and Orson West, disappeared from the backyard are charged with two counts of second-degree murder, wilful cruelty to a child, and filing a false report, according to Kern County Superior Court records. Stay tuned!!! Orson and Orrin West, ages 3 and 4, were reported missing Dec. 21 by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. Two young brothers died three months before their adoptive parents, who have been arrested on murder charges, reported them missing in late 2020, the Kern County district attorney said. 320. Neighbor surveillance shows Trezell jumping into that van looking for the boys. Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. Jennifer Coffindaffer on Twitter: "A case we followed closely early on A California community is searching for answers in the disappearance of two brothers who vanished from their backyard. "I knew something happened to them as soon as they were reported missing," the boys . 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The couple reported that the boys vanished from the backyard of their home in California City near Bakersfield, setting off a massive search involving police, the FBI and volunteers. Britney Spears Is In a Deep Depression, Says Her Kids Wont Talk To Her At All, 90 Day Fianc Spoilers: Yohan Geronimo and Daniele Gates Share Vacation Photos Amid Her Bankruptcy. Orrin is 4, and Orson is 3. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Riverside County grand jury indicts father for 8-year-olds murder and torture, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? By Bill Hutchinson. They went lacking from the yard of their California City Home. The childrens bodies havent been found, but a grand jury voted to indict the Wests last week, Kern District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer told reporters at a news conference. The Wests had called local police to report the children missing on Dec. 21, 2020, in California City, with the California Highway Patrol, FBI and Kern County Sheriffs Department joining in the search. Police investigated and searched for them but they have not been found yet. In an interview with ABC News in February 2021, Trezell West's mother, Wanda West, defended him and Jacqueline West as "really good parents as far as I'm concerned.". The couple has four other children two biological and two adopted who are now in the custody of Child Protective Services, Zimmer said. Police suspect foul play was involved in the boys' disappearance, according to California City Police Chief Jon Walker. Orrin And Orson Wests Adoptive Parents Trezell West & Jacqueline West Arrested For Murder, 90 Day Fianc Spoilers: Kelly Brown Reveals Nasty Derogatory Racist Message From Mollys Daughter Olivia, Prince Harry Wants To Talk To His Family Before Charles Coronation Dont Think William Or Charles Will, Says Kinsey Schofield, 90 Day Fianc Spoilers: Yara Zaya Reveals Her Weight-Loss Fail Dont Know Why Im Drinking Starbucks, Madonna Hooks Up With Boxing Coach 35 Years Younger, Jeff Jarrett Feels Next Breakout Star In AEW Will Be Based On Microphone Skills, Not Moves. Orrin and Orsons families worst fears have been realized with the revelation that the children had died, Terry said. Brothers, 3 & 4, 'looked skinny & one had a bruise on his neck' before "I just know they were really good parents as far as I'm concerned," Wanda West, the grandmother of the toddlers said about the children's adoptive parents in an exclusive interview with ABC News Saturday. "And we did that through a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence and the grand jury was convinced that they were dead. Trezell told police that the boys wandered out of their California City, California backyard while he was gathering firewood. Trezell West of the California family is charged with two counts of murder in relation to the missing of Orrin and Orson West. The couple's first court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. "We offered a reward out of our own pockets," the missing boys' uncle, Jamal Watkins, told ABC News. They were arrested at around 8 p.m. in an unincorporated area of Bakersfield. Photo: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Kristin Smart's Body Is Still Missing But Longtime Suspect and His Father Face Trial, Pet Duck Leads Police to Murder Victim and Elusive Clues: 'If I Could Give That Duck a Medal, I Would', Stepmom of Harmony Montgomery, N.H. 7-Year-Old Who Wasn't Reported Missing for 2 Years, Faces New Charges, Texas Couple Accused of Murdering Seattle Woman, Cutting GPS Monitors While Out on Bail Are Found in Cambodia, Family Offers $10K Reward for Missing Remains to Help Solve Mystery of Ariz. Man's Death, California Couple Accused of Decapitating Son and Daughter Plead Not Guilty to Criminal Charges, Bone Found in SUV Retrieved from Ohio River Belongs to Ind. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Missing California boys: The adoptive parents of missing California Then A Couple named Trezell and Jacqueline West adopted them in September 2020. Classic was removed days after his birth in 2017 because the human services department said "they like to keep siblings together," the lawsuit says. They went missing from the backyard of their California City Home. We are 135,000 strong! Orrin and Orsons adoptive parents were arrested under the murder charges.