pic.twitter.com/SFAztR0K54. The two boys were reported missing from California City in 2020. According to Trezell and Jacqueline West, the boys adoptive parents, YouTuber Doug Hutton accused a neighbor of the Wests of being connected to the disappearance. Many of the missing pieces in ! chanted participants in a February 2021 vigil in Bakersfield. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails to indulge in. "I don't believe the kids were ever here.". 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. Where are the boys? I saw them there, went into the house, came back out, didnt see them there.When his wife confirmed that she hadn't seen the boys either, panic set in.\"I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house, searched the house, me and my wife. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. The boys were declared dead by the Kern County District Attorney's Office last year even though their bodies have not been found. "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. 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 investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing, Zimmer said at a news conference Wednesday morning. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. They also face one misdemeanor count of making a false report of an emergency and could spend 30 years to life in prison, the district attorney said. Orrin and Orson Wests new parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, were captured by experts on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The little words that the biological family are left with are sending a strong message to Jaqueline and Trezell. Despite not having the boys' remains, Zimmer is confident she has a strong case against the Wests. Local businesses began offering rewards in early January 2021; by mid-March they totaled $125,000. "It's one we don't want to mess up. Despite massive searches in Southern California following their disappearance, investigators say the boys' bodies haven't been found. "Why didnt they notice that. Charles Pettus, the biological father of Orrin and Orson, spoke with KGET in October, 10 months after their disappearance. Theres items of evidence that are searched.. ", "It's difficult. The gag order also applies to witnesses and court personnel with access to reports filed in the case. Orson and Orrin's bodies have not been found. The judge ordered they be held without bail. Wednesday, December 21, 2022, marks two years since four-year-old Orrin and three-year-old Orson West were reported missing from their adoptive parents home Trezell told police that the boys wandered out of their California City, California backyard while he was gathering firewood. Police said this case "is not a cold case." The biological parents of Orrin and Orson have taken legal action against the county, saying negligence by the Department of Human Services contributed to the boys deaths. We now realize that the search for the boys began after the real tragedy had already occurred. pic.twitter.com/tj9KKZFQV0. Pettus said. The District Attorney's Office says its investigation revealed the West boys, born Cincere and Classic Pettus, had died approximately three months before the couple reported them as missing. Their bodies have not been found. Police said 16 mass area searches had been conducted, investigators had searched three locations outside the state and more than 200 tips were followed up. The Wests are being held without bail and were also each charged with two counts of willful cruelty to a child as well as one count of filing an emergency false report. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. "The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.". 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. Dad makes emotional plea to find sons killer: Well never be able to hug him, 70 missing children found by Texas authorities, How SD County plans to enforce Skip the Stuff law, Thieves targeting honey sold at La Jolla Whole Foods, Your guide to this years San Diego County Fair, Uber driver picked up a ride that would earn him $250K; now can afford daughters chemo, Patriots hockey helps active duty, veterans through, SD plans to begin crossing project near Petco Park, VIDEO: Vandals cause $10K worth of damage in Ramona, Board responds over SD Unified discipline concerns, Oceanside businesses worry about turnout from storms, SD man charged on suspicion of steroid distribution, IB school forced to lock down after gun report, Best deals of Presidents Day weekend 2023, Forgot about Valentines Day? CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. 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. They don't know anything. Jacqueline and Trezell West, the adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West, will be in court on Wed, March 1. By the next morning, the community came together in the first of many massive searches. However, Robyn says she finds it bizarre the kids turned up missing from their adoptive parents' backyard, yet she never saw children playing in the yard and never noticed any children living at the home. On a daily basis theres case movement, theres interviews that occur, said BPD spokesman Sgt. Biological father of Orson and Orrin West remains hopeful 10 months after their disappearance from California City. On June 1, 2021, police gave an update detailing efforts that had been made to locate Orrin and Orson. Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, appear in images released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The search continues for two toddlers Orrin and Orson West from California City who went missing from their foster home. She blames the Wests for the boys' disappearance, saying, \"They did something. In a 2021 interview, Jacqueline West said: "Everybody's making their own conclusions. WebBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (SCRIPPS) 3-year-old Orson and 4-year-old Orrin West have been missing for months. In the meantime, the question remains: Where are the boys? "It's sad. He looked skinny like he didnt eat. 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. Further details on what happened to the boys likely wont become available until trial begins. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. That's exactly the point, and if we can find our babiesthat's all I want, is to find our babies.\" Jacqueline West added, \"It's difficult. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. MAR 3, 2021. 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"This is a hard one," he said. So I just need to be here right now.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Robert Pair says they've heard it all. 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. The following day, the boys' biological mother arrived from Bakersfield to help search.I just had to be here because my babies are supposedly missing from this house, Ryan Dean said, KGET reports. 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. She said prosecutors requested the grand jury convene to hear evidence. Additionally, grand jury transcripts and search warrants were sealed. The couple said they scoured the neighborhood after noticing the boys were missing. Orrin and Orson West's missing poster (Copy). Ms. We havent been able to put together how the boys got out of the yard, or where theyve gone.. Jacqueline and Trezell are accused of killing the two young boys in December 2020. Data was continuing to be extracted from cellular and electronic devices, and seized items were being forensically examined. The answer to that is no,' Zimmer said. The couple has four other children who have been placed in protective custody. "They didnt ask to come into this world to be treated like this," the boys' grandmother said. This family shouldnt have gone through this, McCoy said during an April interview. That proved frustrating to some, leading to arguments and even an arrest. According to Trezell and Jacqueline West, the boys adoptive parents, the boys disappeared from their backyard on Dec. 21. Now, over a year after they were last seen, Trezell and Jacqueline have been arrested for their murders. 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, 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. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Follow the article till the end Who is involved? Plantz says she only saw the man of the home coming and going at times. Hutton removed the pictures then confronted someone at the neighbors house. Orrin and Orson West were reported missing on January 21st, 2020 by their adoptive parents and still haven't been found. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. These are babies. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. BPD said they are working closely with experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with 'technical experts' from the FBI. Nine months later, the search for them continues. This morning, Im saddened to announce that the investigation has revealed that Orrin and Orson West are deceased, she said. 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. Officers were called and Hutton was cited for outstanding misdemeanor warrants and released, police said. The fact that Trezell is charged with counts of murder indicates that "We deserve to know what happened to those babies," California City resident Robyn Plantz said. 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 After my parents go, its just me and my kids., Grand jury hears evidence, Wests indicted. Then, on March 1, the adoptive parents were each charged with second-degree murder in connection with the boys' deaths. 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. Their four other kids (two biological and two adopted) have been taken into protective custody by the authorities at this time.The couple adopted Orrin and Orson in April 2019, the Mojave Desert News reports.It's unclear why Dean lost custody of her sons but she told 23ABC she is working on getting her life back on track. It alleges the department unlawfully took the children and put them in harms way. Pair says detectives conducted a search for the boys Thursday, but wouldn't provide details. 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. 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. Your IP: The claims said Dean noticed her children had lost weight and seemed scared, and Orson had scratches on his face. Groups swarmed the area. "To be handed out to dogs, as a figurative of speech. 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. The boys were born to biological mother Ryan Dean, who lost custody after Orrin was found to have a severely broken and twisted femur bone. He was released into her care, according to the claim, but days later was taken from her. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10bf63f89f3979 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. Copyright 2023 The Inquisitr. Follow the article till the end to learn more. Many of the missing pieces in this case started to fall in place over the last 24 hours. The phrasing used by Zimmer saying the grand jury was convinced and it believed is not a legal standard used at trial, Hennessy said. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. So while news of two missing children was certainly alarming, searchers remained hopeful. The adoptive parents thanked the community for the outpouring of support. Jacqueline and Trezell are accused of killing the two young boys in December 2020. Their adoptive parents in California City, Trezell West and Jacqueline West reported to the Knowing that Orrin and Orson West are actually dead is tugging at the heartstrings of many in the community. Orson West (pictured) and his brother were reported missing in December of 2020 Credit: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All family members connected to the boys were interviewed, police said. Months went by with no trace of the boys, while the authorities were keeping quiet about their investigation. We want to bring them home to give them a proper burial.. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. "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. Robert Pair. Thats all I want, is to find my babies. Police and the FBI searched the Wests home and seized phones and other electronic devices. The District Attorneys office then presented information to the grand jury and the grand jury found there was sufficient evidence to hold Trezell and Jacqueline West responsible for these murders and they returned what was called a true bill, Zimmer said. a candlelight vigil in honor of the boys Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Grinch is getting a sequel, plus other books, Everything you need to know about the Disney California, 13 stylish black tights to wear this winter, California, beleaguered by earlier storms, gets fresh, CAs pandemic-era SNAP benefits are ending in March, A little scary: Iditarod begins with smallest field, What to know about Alex Murdaughs murder trial, Iran expels 2 German envoys amid uproar over death, FlyDubai announces record profit as Gulf air travel, East-West showdown looms at G-20 FMs meeting in India, China rips new US House committee on countering Beijing, US increases military support for Somalia against, Israelis step up protests over governments legal, Ex-UN official: Haitians must be part of solution, Nigerias Bola Tinubu declared winner of presidential, Greece train collision kills 26, at least 85 injured, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at, As court debates student loans, borrowers see disconnect, One more storm is set to bring rain, snow and winds, Motorcyclist left with major injuries after crash, Famous Daves closes permanently in Bakersfield, Bald eagle eggs at Big Bear are unlikely to hatch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Orrin and Orson West Update: Are Their Bodies Found? pic.twitter.com/3VojKlE6yY. 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. They searched and raised reward money, but little did they know, authorities had already uncovered a huge piece of the case. The Wests were arrested and held without bail, a development that sent shockwaves through the community. 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. I can feel it.\"In response to her accusations, Trezol West told the station, \"That's understandable. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Dean took Orrin to Memorial Hospital, where it was discovered his legs were broken. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. Brothers Orson and Orrin West -- ages 3 and 4, respectively, were reported missing by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry joined 17 News at Sunrise to discuss the case in the disappearance of 4-year-old Orrin and 3-year-old Orson West in California City, who have been missing since December. A grand jury indicted the boys' adoptive parents this week, Kern District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer told reporters. All rights reserved. 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