document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The neighbor then put pictures of Hutton all over the Wests house along with a banner asking Doug Hutton, Where are the boys?. The California City Police Department originally investigated the case, as the last place the boys were seen was at the home of their adoptive parents in Cal City. Their adoptive parents maintain the brothers disappeared from their home's backyard Dec. 21 of last year. Slovakia basks under NATO umbrella, sends Ukraine, Hwy 178 closed Wednesday due to rockslide, Head-on train crash in Greece kills 36, injures at, Kobe Bryant family settles photo lawsuit for $28.5, Jokic has 100th triple-double; Nuggets down Rockets, Giannis returns, Bucks beat Nets 118-104 for 15th, Rangers acquire star winger Patrick Kane from Blackhawks, With James injury, Lakers face challenge to reach, Browns could restructure Deshaun Watsons $230M contract, CAL CITY BOYS: DA said there is evidence Orrin, Orson West died before reported missing, CAL CITY BOYS: Both adoptive parents charged and in custody, A timeline of events in the case of the missing California City boys Orson and Orrin West, CAL CITY BOYS: Family relieved after hearing of murder charges against adoptive parents. Judging from the video, it appeared the casually-dressed group was Kern Countys grand jury. Investigators haven't released information about what led to the conclusion that the boys are no longer alive. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The sun had sunk below the horizon and temperatures were dropping when Orrin and Orson West were reported missing from their California City home Dec. 21, 2020. He claimed in the lawsuit that Child Protective Services was negligent when they took his biological children away and placed them with a couple outside of friends and family. He was released into her care, according to the claim, but days later was taken from her. The boys were declared dead by the Kern County District Attorney's Office last year even though their bodies have not been found. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West said the boys were playing with chalk in the backyard when they suddenly went missing. The boys' biological father, Charles Pettus, criticized the authorities for taking Orrin and Orson and placing them in the West's home and has filed a lawsuit against the county. They Fourteen months ago, Jaqueline and Trezell West stood in front of their California City home and pleaded with the community to help search for their missing adopted boys. It's heartbreaking and our whole community has been out searching for them and there's no trace of them," Plantz said. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) The Bakersfield Police Department released a case update for the disappearance of Orrin and Orson West, who went missing on Dec. 21, 2020, in California City. Once that didn't pan out, I got in the van, I looked down the street in both directions, it was getting dark, getting cold,\" he said, 23ABC reports.Trezol West said he immediately began searching the neighborhood for the pair and called police for help.California City police and members of the community searched the area for the boys Monday night and all day Tuesday. "It's sad. In a 2021 interview, Jacqueline West said: "Everybody's making their own conclusions. We want to bring them home to give them a proper burial.. Police have undergone multiple massive searches for the boys. Already, however, some were becoming suspicious. Their bodies have never been found. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing, Zimmer said at a news conference Wednesday morning. WebA brief synopsis of what occurred: On December 23rd, Orrin, 4 and Orsin, West were reported missing by their adoptive parents. Nine months later, the search for them continues. Search continues for missing California toddlers who disappeared days before Christmas. However, according to Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, the evidence indicates that the boys were dead for approximately three months before they were reported missing by the Wests. She did not reveal how the boys were killed or other facts of the case. Its painful to the family, these kids didnt have a chance in this world, so Im just, said Keisha Stevenson, a biological family friend, as she began to sob. CNN Almost 15 months ago, Orrin and Orson Wests adoptive "There's never been any kids there," Plantz said. All rights reserved. According to their adoptive father, Trezol West, their adoptive mother, Jacqueline West, was inside wrapping presents while he was out back gathering fire wood.I came in the house, Trezol West told KGET. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 'Dark details' about boyfriend of US swim champ who mysteriously died, Disturbing red flags of Lindsay Clancy's psychosis before she 'killed 3 kids', Mysterious powder swamps US skies as residents report dust-covered cars, Manson Family member's death 'not a relief' to model who avoided Sharon Tate attack, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Orson West (pictured) and his brother were reported missing in December of 2020, Credit: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, It was announced this week that Orson and Orrin (pictured) are believed to be dead, Their adoptive parents, Trezell (left) and Jacqueline West (right), were arrested, were last seen playing in the backyard of their home. On March 1, the grand jury indicted Trezell and Jacqueline West on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of child cruelty and falsely reporting an emergency. The revelations about toddlers Orson and Orrin West come after the boys' adoptive parents were arrested on Tuesday. The phrasing used by Zimmer saying the grand jury was convinced and it believed is not a legal standard used at trial, Hennessy said. Hours before the arrest, Trezell West was tracked down by 17 News at a post office in Edison, witnesses report seeing him take-off in an RV that was found Tuesday evening about 17 miles west of Bakersfield, that is where the arrest took place. The boys biological father, Charles Pettus had been home with the child. Even with a larger group of volunteers and sunny conditions, searchers found nothing. Jacqueline and Trezell West, the adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West, will be in court on Wed, March 1. Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4. pic.twitter.com/SFAztR0K54. Days after the arrests, defense lawyers Timothy Hennessy and Alekxia Torres-Stallings, representing Trezell and Jacqueline West, respectively, held a news conference where they accused the district attorney of misleading the public and preying on emotions. The adoptive parents thanked the community for the outpouring of support. In June 2017, Dean gave birth to Orson. "The people working on this and the people that are invested in this, that's something that never even factors into it, and it's hurtful on a personal level," Pair said. Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer held a news conference where she said the bodies of Orrin and Orson had not been located but investigators believed the children died three months before the Wests reported them missing. Orson The boys were reported missing on Monday, Dec 21st by their adoptive parents, Trezell West \u0026 Jaqueline West. So I just need to be here right now.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? On March 8, in a move agreed to by both sides, a Kern County judge issued a gag order barring attorneys and their investigators and law enforcementfrom speaking about the case. Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, went missing one year ago, Tuesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Then, on March 1, the adoptive parents were each charged with second-degree murder in connection with the boys' deaths. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Respondent and its employees acted affirmatively and used their authority in a way that created a danger to the children or that rendered the children more vulnerable to danger than had the state not acted at all, according to the claim filed by San Francisco-based McCoy Law Firm. Trezell and Jacqueline West were indicted Tuesday on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of cruelty to a child and falsely reporting an emergency. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails to indulge in. The judge ordered they be held without bail. Orrin was taken from Dean on Nov. 13, 2016, after she returned home from work and found the then-3-month-old crying uncontrollably, the claim says. Your IP: Nine months later, they remain missing. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. He said the standard of proof at grand jury proceedings is much lower than the standard of being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt required at trial. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. Pair says detectives conducted a search for the boys Thursday, but wouldn't provide details. You have two missing kids and they're gone and you have to figure out what happened to them. We havent been able to put together how the boys got out of the yard, or where theyve gone.. Their adoptive parents, Trezell West, 35, and Jacqueline West, 32, claimed that the two boys disappeared from the backyard while playing. Plantz lives directly behind the home the missing boys apparently shared with their adoptive parents. Trezell and Jacqueline West filed missing persons reports on December 21, 2020 in California City, claiming the boys were last seen playing in the backyard of their home. Human Services ignored reports of suspected abuse by the Wests, according to the claim, resulting in their deaths. Police said this case "is not a cold case." Hennessy also pointed out defense counsel and the accused are not present during grand jury proceedings and have no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses or present evidence. Orrin and Orson, two toddlers were reported missing by their adoptive parents back in December 2020, at around the time of Christmas. Here are some last-minute, Best last-minute Valentines Day gifts for him, Fiery train crash in Greece kills 16, hurts at least, Americans to learn about anti-smoking laws in Mexico, Motorcyclist killed in SR-94 crash identified, Medi-cal benefits set to expire for millions, Parents concerned over SD Unified discipline policy, Christina Applegates last red carpet appearance, $700K seized by Imperial County Border Patrol agents, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. Some of her concerns stem from what she said appeared to be injuries to one of the boy's bodies. Police said the Wests were both charged on Tuesday with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of willful cruelty to a child. The Bakersfield Police Department took over the investigation and in March about 50 officers and FBI agents scoured a dirt lot near Casa Loma Apartments. She says she does not know how this injury occurred. Some years pass with only one or even no killings. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Orrin West Missing Since: Dec 21, 2020 Missing From: California City, CA DOB: Aug 4, 2016 Age Now: 4 Sex: Male Race: Black Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown Height: 3'0" Weight: 35 lbs Orson West Missing Since: Dec 21, 2020 Missing From: California City, CA DOB: Jun 11, 2017 Age Now: 3 Sex: Male Race: Black Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown For more than a year, worried people all over the country have asked: Where are the boys?, The question now is where are the boys bodies? said Rosanna Wills, Orrin and Orsons biological cousin. We use affiliate links throughout this site and may earn money based on qualified purchases. WebBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (SCRIPPS) 3-year-old Orson and 4-year-old Orrin West have been missing for months. Thats all I want, is to find my babies. Trial of adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West to begin Photo by: 23ABC News Trezell and Jacqueline West, the adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West, Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.According to KGET, authorities obtained a search warrant and have been gathering evidence from the family's home -- even digging up the backyard. He realized he left the gate open and conducted a frantic search of the neighborhood before calling 911, Trezell West told police. Dean was informed that Kern County Human Services was removing [Orson] from her home, because [Orrin] had been removed, and they remove siblings together, the claim says. The search continues for two toddlers Orrin and Orson West from California City who went missing from their foster home. Its been 10 months and there are still no answers Orrin was 4 years old and Orson was 3 at the time they vanished. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. Authorities dug in the backyard. That proved frustrating to some, leading to arguments and even an arrest. This is not the outcome, that we and so many have hoped and prayed for in this case and there will not be a resolution in this case until those boys are brought home, added Chief Greg Terry of the Bakersfield Police Department at the conference. While her family waits for word from police on what's next in the investigation, Pettus is questioning what could've been done to avoid the tragedy. Trezell and Jacqueline West detail the moments before and after the boys went missing. But the boys remained missing and no arrests were made. Since that initial investigation, Cal City PD, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Kern County Sheriff's Office and BPD have assisted in the investigation. The gag order also applies to witnesses and court personnel with access to reports filed in the case. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The biological family has informed us that there will be a candlelight vigil in honor of the boys Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Liberty Bell Courthouse. The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.. "I think they need to watch that system. Bakersfield police Sgt. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. They needed somewhere to stay but CPS doesn't care.". "We deserve to know what happened to those babies," California City resident Robyn Plantz said. Click to reveal The West boys, 3-year-old Orson and 4-year-old Orrin, have been on the minds of law enforcement officers and the community for over five months now. RELATED: Search continues for missing California toddlers who disappeared days before Christmas. Over the past 24 hours, several charges were filed and both parents were arrested. Wednesday night, the community that searched and prayed directed anger at adoptive parents, Jaqueline and Trezell West, who cried wolf and remained silent for over a year. The Wests, who adopted the boys, gave aninterviewafter they vanished. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "It's one we don't want to mess up. Weve felt so helpless, and seeing everybody out here really looking and helping out really means a lot, Jacqueline West told media two days after the boys disappearance. The community reached out to Eyewitness News for a follow-up story on the mysterious disappearance. The stakes are too high.". Neighbors report NEVER seeing the kids before.California City Police Chief John Walker has said he suspects foul play, however, there have been no breaks in the case. It was announced this The truth has to and will come to light.. Four other children, two adopted and two biological children of the Wests, were placed in protective custody. For more than a year, the community prayed the boys would return home. Orrin and Orson West were reported missing on January 21st, 2020 by their adoptive parents and still haven't been found. Additionally, grand jury transcripts and search warrants were sealed. Originally set to start in May, the trial was moved back to July 25. A grand jury indicted the boys' adoptive parents this week, Kern District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer told reporters. Orson and Orrin's bodies have not been found. Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. Everyone is making their own conclusions. Despite not having the boys' remains, Zimmer is confident she has a strong case against the Wests. If you didnt do the right thing, do the right thing now and tell us where they are now. Wills said. Their adoptive parents, Trezell West, 35, and Jacqueline West, 32, claimed that the two boys disappeared from the backyard while playing. Theres items of evidence that are searched.. Orson West (pictured) and his brother were reported missing in December of 2020 Credit: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "Were trying to take it one day at a time," Pettus said of her family. Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, appear in images released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That amount included $30,000 offered by the adoptive family and $25,000 from the city. Pair says they are keeping the case close to the vest, despite being accused of not working hard enough to find the boys because they are African American. The FBI agents and the Bakersfield Police Department searched a field in Bakersfield for remains in March 2021. According to the latest facts released by BPD, all associated family members including the adoptive and biological parents have been interviewed by police, some on multiple occasions. Multiple searches were performed, but no trace of the boys were found. Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, had been playing outside in the early evening, adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West told police. Prosecutors have also asked for reports to be sealed. Our priority is to find out where our boys are and their safe return, the statement read. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. WebBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (SCRIPPS) 3-year-old Orson and 4-year-old Orrin West have been missing for months. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. What no one walking those neighborhoods or driving through the surrounding desert knew that morning and wouldnt until a shocking twist more than a year later is the boys were already beyond their help. Their adoptive parents, Trezell West, 35, and We want to bring them home to give them a proper burial.. Missing toddlers Orrin and Orson West are shown in undated family photos. According to prosecutors, Orrin and Orson were killed three months before they were reported missing. The Wests were arrested and held without bail, a development that sent shockwaves through the community. "I knew something happened to them as soon as they were reported missing," the boys' biological grandmother Brenda Pettus exclusively told The Sun this week. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Knowing that Orrin and Orson West are actually dead is tugging at the heartstrings of many in the community. Orrin and Orson Wests new parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, were captured by experts on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. pic.twitter.com/OD93te8F4O, Bakersfield resident Ryan Dean, the biological mother of the missing 3 and 4-year-old California City boys, is claiming foul play against her childrens' foster parents, Wednesday, two days after the children went missing. Vandals threw rocks at the home or attempted to break in. The bodies of Orrin and Orson been found? The Department of Human Services revoked Deans parental rights and denied Moorers requests. No, Orrin and Orson West's bodies are not yet found but there is a rigid suspicion of death. Plantz says she only saw the man of the home coming and going at times. "I don't believe the kids were ever here.". I can feel it.\"In response to her accusations, Trezol West told the station, \"That's understandable. $ 30,000 offered by the Wests, according to the conclusion that the boys biological father, Charles Pettus been... 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