Family of missing toddlers speaks out, says they're public targets The adoptive parents of two missing California toddlers pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder charges, a day after a prosecutor alleged that the couple killed the boys months before they were reported missing. 90 Day Fianc: Before the 90 Days: Mahogany Roca Says Shes NOT Ben Rathbuns Girlfriend. "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. "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. Orrin and Orson West Parents, Adoptive Parents & Biological Parents A huge search by law enforcement agencies and . 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. Trezell West tells KGET that the boys were playing on the back porch the . Trezell West and Jacqueline West were arrested Tuesday night for killing 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson, whose supposed disappearance in 2020 sparked a huge search effort in California City . It says that the boys seemed "scared" and had lost weight and that Classic "had scratches on his face." We haven't been able to put together how the boys got out of the yard, or where they've gone.". Undated photos of Orrin and Orson West, who were reported missing in California City, Calif., in December of 2020, by their adoptive parents. LTD. where I have been working since July 2021. Parents of toddlers Orrin and Orson West, who were reported missing from their California City home days before Christmas in 2020, were arrested and indicted for their murder this week, authorities said. 2023 - Daily Soap Dish. Created Jan 13, 2021. The district attorney said the couple was arrested around 7 p.m. Tuesday in an unincorporated area of Kern County. It wasnt long after that that the Wests were arrested. All rights reserved. Adoptive parents arrested in killing of 2 Kern County boys, ages 3 and 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. No suspects or persons of interest have been named in the case at this time. The Kern County District Attorney's Office announced in a news conference Wednesday morning that Trezell West and Jacqueline West were indicted by a grand jury in the murders of their adopted sons, 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson. 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson West were reported missing on December 21, 2020 by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. Trezell West said he had gone looking for firewood and that . A K9 Unit was even sent out to search for the boys at one point, and did find their scents in the house, but could not find any evidence of their scents ever leaving the house on foot, Until earlier in the week, nothing more was known about the boys disappearance, until mid-week when both Trezell and Jacqueline West, were arrested for murder along with willful cruelty to a child an accusation that were not entirely sure the definition of yet, but the couple had two biological kids and two other adopted children, so they had six children in their young 30s. Orrin and Orson West went missing in September 2020 from the backyard of their adoptive parents home in California. However, there were no footprints, no dropped toys, no word on if they ever even found the chalk the little ones were allegedly playing with but were willing to bet not, that was when authorities began to realize that these children did not make it out of the house on foot, that they had had some help, obviously. Orrin and Orson West have been missing since December 2020. Orrin and Orson's biological parents live in Bakersfield and this is where the boys lived with their adoptive parents before the family moved to California City in September 2020. Both parents are being held without bail and are expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday. Adoptive Parents Who Reported Kids Missing Charged in Their - Peoplemag In an interview with ABC Bakersfield affiliate KERO just two days after the boys vanished, Trezell West claimed he last saw them playing in their backyard. After 3 months, on 21 December 2020, their adoptive parents reported that they went missing. California couple charged with killing adopted sons missing since 2020 Orrin and Orson West had a sad start to life. Orson West, 3, left, and Orrin West, 4, have been missing since Dec. 21, 2020. Dist. While authorities said the brothers are dead, their bodies have not been found. Orson \u0026 Orrin's parents gave an interview and I take a closer look. Our hearts go out to the biological family, we at DSD will be keeping an eye on this case. (credit: National Center for Missing And Exploited . Charles Pettus, the biological father of the two toddlers, is suing Kern County on the grounds that officials were negligent to remove Orrin and Orson from their birth parents' custody and place them with the Wests. Police soon suspected foul play, according to KABC-TV Channel 7. I dont have a bad record.". "We have not ruled anyone out," Walker said. Their adopted parents in California City reported them missing from home. "It's not a good feeling," said their biological father . The Department of Social Services said it could not comment, and the human services department could not immediately be reached for comment. A reward fund ballooned to more than $120,000 for information on the boys' whereabouts. Was Maggie Murdaugh LURED home by Alex Murdaugh? The adoptive parents of missing California boys Orrin and Orson West A lawyer representing Pettus told KGET in December 2021 that police had found human remains during another search of the home in November. Their bodies have never been found. Trezell West and Jacqueline West were arrested Tuesday night for killing 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson, whose supposed disappearance in 2020 sparked a huge search effort in California City, the Kern County prosecutor said. He said that he was going in and out of the back wooden gate to get firewood and that he went inside the house for about 10 minutes but when he came back outside the two little boys were gone. The West brothers are the adopted sons of Trezell and Jacqueline West. 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. 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. The adoptive parents of two small California boys who were reported missing in 2020 have been charged with killing the children, although their bodies have not been found, authorities said Wednesday. Orson & Orrin West (3&4), MEDIA, MAPS & TIMELINE - Websleuths Timothy Hennessy, an attorney for Trezell West, said at a news conference in March that the couple should be considered innocent until proven guilty. The outlet reported that authorities brought in cadaver dogs to the Wests home and excavated the yard. Brothers Orson and Orrin West -- ages 3 and 4, respectively, were reported missing by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. That year, Trezell West, 34, and Jacqueline West, 31, became the boy's foster parents. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. When I learned that two of my grandchildren, the youngest Orrin and Orson, had disappeared this past December from their home in California City I was devastated. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Orrin and Orson who, with this news today, their worst fears have been realized. Update: Orrin and Orson West And Then They Were Gone The second that police showed up, they told the parents to stop and let them handle it, that they had the best team looking for their boys, even a helicopter searched for the boys for five miles, which sounds excessive for toddlers but one has to remember that the Wests entire back yard is a vast desert space, things happen in the desert. I am still devastated and in disbelief more than three months later that this has happened to these innocent babies and they have not been found. The couple say they began fostering Orrin and Orson in 2018 and officially completed the adoption . They were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, the DA said. In addition to Orson and Orrin, the couple has four other children, including two who are adopted and two who are biological, investigators told ABC News. Biological family of missing Cal City boys file complaint against Kern ", Terry added, "We now realize that the search for the boys began after the real tragedy had already occurred.". Girl, 8, Is Found Dead, and Mom Is Charged After Pleading for Answers on TV, 'He Was Framed': Chad Daybell's 5 Kids Claim He Didn't Murder Wife Lori Vallow's Children, Calif. Brothers, 3 and 4, Vanished 8 Days Ago After Dad Said He Momentarily Left Them in Yard, Lori Vallow: The Disturbing Case of Idaho Mom Charged with Murdering 2 Kids, Ex-Husband. Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry discussed the tragic twist in what began as a missing children case. Multiple searches were performed, but no trace of the boys were found. As we, the extended adoptive family, face uncertainty of their whereabouts we are both grieving and deeply dedicated to the search for the boys. Orrin and Orson were first reported missing by their parents in California City on Dec. 21, 2020. Cops: Adoptive Parents Murdered Missing Boys - Newser Charles Pettus ( Biological Father ). Trial of adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West to begin Want more info? In 2018, the boys were removed from their foster home and placed with the West family. Update: Orrin and Orson West - podcasts.apple.com 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. Charles Pettus is the biological father of Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, whose birth names were Cinsere and Classic Pettus. Trezell West, 35, and Jacqueline West, 32, were arraigned in Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield on two counts of second-degree murder, two felony counts of child abuse and a misdemeanor charge of making a false report of an emergency. All Rights Reserved. Orson and Orrin West's parents have been cooperating with police. Type above and press Enter to search. The search continues for 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson West. ", RELATED: Search continues for missing California toddlers who disappeared days before Christmas. Adoptive parents arrested in killing of 2 California boys - Yahoo! News 'A horrific tragedy': Parents indicted for murder of missing California Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Thats when Trezell called 911. Neighbors report NEVER seeing the kids before. ", "This is not the outcome that we and so many had hoped and prayed for over the last year," Terry said. Missing. Orson West & Orrin West. Speaking at a news conference, DA Cynthia Zimmer said an investigation confirmed the deaths of Orrin West, 4, and his brother Orson, 3. Orrin and Orson West Parents, Adoptive Parents & Biological Parents, Real Name, Missing, Age, & Wiki, In this blog, you can get the all details of, Orrin and Orson Wests Adoptive Parents & Biological Parents. Missing California boys: The adoptive parents of missing California ", Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry and California City Police Chief Jon Walker praised investigators for working tirelessly on the missing persons case to "find the truth. Zimmer said the bodies of the two boys have not been found. 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. The Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers: Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) Finds PROOF To Tear Down Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)? Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said the Wests' adopted children, 4-year-old Orson and his 3-year-old brother Orrin, were slain three months before they were reported missing in December 2020. 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. Alex Murdaugh Sentenced To LIFE In Prison As Trial Reaches Verdict In 2021, Alex Murdaugh Juror Falls ASLEEP During Closing Arguments! Police launched a search of the area, which was later joined by the FBI, California Highway Patrol, a Kern County sheriff's search and rescue team, and members of the community. The couple's first court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. OrrinAndOrsonWest - reddit Jennifer Coffindaffer on Twitter: "A case we followed closely early on 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trezell and Jacqueline West filed missing persons . Updated 2/3/2021 BASED ON NEW INFORMATION. Trezell and Jacqueline West reported the boys missing on Dec. 21, 2020, and have publicly denied being involved in their disappearance. "My kids is all I got. We now realize the search for the boys had begun after the real tragedy had already occurred, Terry said. Adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West due in court "It's like people don't realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are," West said. "No, I cannot," she replied. Trezell and Jacqueline West told police in December 2020 that 4- and 3-year-old Orrin and Orson disappeared from their backyard. 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson West were reported missing on December 21, 2020 by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. Orrin West, age 4, and his brother Orson West, age 3, of California City in Kern County California, have been missing since at least December 21, 2020 when their foster parents reported them as missing from their home on Aspen Avenue. Trial of adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West to begin - Peer2Peer Jurors Experiencing. The Wests were initially foster parents to Orson and Orrin, who came to live with them in 2018. Orrin West, 4, and his brother Orson, 3, were reported missing from their family's backyard in the desert town of California City on Dec. 21, 2020. Back in 2020, two little boys, Orrin and Orson West, three and four years old, went missing a few days before Christmas. ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin, Zohreen Shah and Jennifer Watts contributed to this report. "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. A readiness hearing is happening at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning. Trezell West said he kept an eye on the boys as he gathered firewood. Orrin and Orsons adoptive parents were arrested with 2 counts of murder, 2 counts of Felony child abuse, and one cont of filing a false report of an emergency. About a week after the children were reported missing, crucial information came to light necessitating the involvement of the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County D.A.s office, Zimmer said. Orrin and Orson West Parents:- Orrin and Orson West were 2 brothers who were reported missing by their adoptive parents after 3 months of missing on 21 December 2020. "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. "This is not the outcome that we in so many had hoped and prayed for over the last year," Chief Greg Terry said at Wednesday's press conference. The couple appeared on local media in the early days after the reported disappearance to raise awareness.