Pair says detectives conducted a search for the boys Thursday, but wouldn't provide details. 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. That proved frustrating to some, leading to arguments and even an arrest. Their adoptive parents, Trezell West, 35, and Jacqueline West, 32, claimed that the two boys disappeared from the backyard while playing. Judging from the video, it appeared the casually-dressed group was Kern Countys grand jury. The claims said Dean noticed her children had lost weight and seemed scared, and Orson had scratches on his face. Charles Pettus, Brenda's son and the biological father of Orson and Orrin, filed a lawsuit against Kern County and the state of California in late 2021. Trezell and Jacqueline West both pleaded not guilty to the charges at a Thursday court hearing, KGET reported. Dean took Orrin to Memorial Hospital, where it was discovered his legs were broken. ! chanted participants in a February 2021 vigil in Bakersfield. Originally set to start in May, the trial was moved back to July 25. Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. So while news of two missing children was certainly alarming, searchers remained hopeful. 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 couple originally announced the In June 2017, Dean gave birth to Orson. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. She told The Sun that Child Protective Services (CPS) took the brothers, aged 3 and 4, from their biological parents right after birth. "To be handed out to dogs, as a figurative of speech. Robert Pair. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Orrin and Orson West were first reported missing from their home in California City on Dec. 21, 2020. 4-year-old Orrin West, left, and 3-year-old Orson West reportedly disappeared in fall 2020. That amount included $30,000 offered by the adoptive family and $25,000 from the city. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. "They dont need to hand out children to any old people to get rid them. On Dec. 29, 2020, California City Police Chief Jon Walker announced foul play was suspected and said a second search of the home had been conducted and unidentified items seized for analysis. After the update, you can listen to our original episode on Orrin and Orson's disappearance to get the full story and timeline. "There's never been any kids there," Plantz said. The stakes are too high.". 5. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Pettus has also filed suit and has a hearing scheduled for August. Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, had been playing outside in the early evening, adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West told police. Everyone concerned remains hopeful the boys will be found safe and sound before the holidays roll around yet again in a few months. Police and the FBI searched the Wests home and seized phones and other electronic devices. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. I searched a bunch of corners, I searched and searched and I called their names, said Trezell West, the adoptive father. Vandals threw rocks at the home or attempted to break in. According to prosecutors, Orrin and Orson were killed three months before they were reported missing. They sent out a news release with a description and photos of the boys. 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. 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. Robert Pair says they've heard it all. CAL CITY BOYS: Both adoptive parents charged and in custody, DA prosecutes Orrin, Orson West's adoptive parents, no bodies, Adoptive parents killed California brothers Orrin and Orson West months before reporting them missing, DA says, Adoptive parents charged with killing two California boys before reporting them missing, DA says, Father of Cal City missing boys files lawsuit against Kern County, state of California | KBAK, BREAKING: The adoptive parents of #missing 3 and 4 year-old California City boys speak for the first time Wednesday, after the boys went missing Monday night. She blames the Wests for the boys' disappearance, saying, \"They did something. The Wests, who adopted the boys, gave aninterviewafter they vanished. She said prosecutors requested the grand jury convene to hear evidence. The community reached out to Eyewitness News for a follow-up story on the mysterious disappearance. ", "It's difficult. In a 2021 interview, Jacqueline West said: "Everybody's making their own conclusions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Orrin and Orson Wests new parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, were captured by experts on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Additionally, grand jury transcripts and search warrants were sealed. Despite not having the boys' remains, Zimmer is confident she has a strong case against the Wests. Located roughly 110 miles north of Los Angeles, California City is a desert community of roughly 14,000 people with Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave Air and Space Port and a prison as major employers. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. I can feel it.\"In response to her accusations, Trezol West told the station, \"That's understandable. 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. "To CPS, they need to take the proper precautions and getting the right parents to take care of the children," she said. Why didnt CPS look into that?" Trezell told police that the boys wandered out of their California City, California backyard while he was gathering firewood. WebOrson west, and Orrin west were reported missing 12/21/2020 from California city located in Kern County, California. West/Watkins Family "We offered a reward out of our own pockets," the missing boys' uncle, Jamal Watkins, told ABC News. The answer to that is no,' Zimmer said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. By the next morning, the community came together in the first of many massive searches. The neighbor then put pictures of Hutton all over the Wests house along with a banner asking Doug Hutton, Where are the boys?. They searched and raised reward money, but little did they know, authorities had already uncovered a huge piece of the case. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. The adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West said the boys were playing with chalk in the backyard when they suddenly went missing. Hutton removed the pictures then confronted someone at the neighbors house. "It's one we don't want to mess up. Zimmer said she could not comment on whether there would be any more arrests. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Orson and Orrin's bodies have not been found. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. We havent been able to put together how the boys got out of the yard, or where theyve gone.. No information was released on new developments. Where are they? Jacqueline and Trezell are accused of killing the two young boys in December 2020. 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. from all dreams January 6th - 17th 2021 daily uopdates athttps://briansprediction.com/orrin-and-orson-westfrom 6 dreamsOrrin and Orson West missing boys found at this exact location - very sad dream that does not have to happen - please look at this location again - he is not telling the truth and Law Enforcement have the wrong phone numbers, address and po box number - Central Park of California City CAOrrin and Orson West located - why did they no listen - the same area - look again - they know the phone is missing - arrest made - not an accident - overdose - I cannot stress enough - look again and for some reason, they may still be alive - I hope this is trueOrrin and Orson West found - news 4 alert - they just missed him - Victory Baptist Church in California City - behind this - numbers - same numbers as another dream - he did get firewood and he buried them 110 yards east of the church - look againOrrin and Orson West are being held by this woman - they are alive - she is going to kill them on March 14th 2021 - behind the apartment complex by the metal pole - look again - red marking with spray-paint - find them now - plastic bags - numbers - I hope they are still alive but past dreams seem to say otherwise.I will post new dreams daily athttps://briansprediction.com/orrin-and-orson-westuntil Orrin and Orson are located and this woman is arrested.Look again - it's still there - they had this with them - numbers - Orrin and Orson West - c park - look at the fence where it is broken - it's buried there - metal detector - arrests made in 12 days - the location in the phone is wrong - le have the shirt alreadycase at https://briansprediction.com/orrin-and-orson-westcase infoA California community is searching for answers in the disappearance of two brothers who vanished from their backyard.On Dec. 21, 3-year-old Orson and 4-year-old Orrin West were playing with chalk in their family's California City backyard. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In this episode, we talk about the arrest, go over the indictment and discuss what we've learned so far. Police said this case "is not a cold case." "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. Follow the article till the end to learn more. Trezell and Jacqueline West detail the moments before and after the boys went missing. Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, went missing one year ago, Tuesday. ", RELATED: Reward increases to $120K for missing CA toddlers; family says they're public targets. Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4. Orrin and Orson West were reported missing on January 21st, 2020 by their adoptive parents and still haven't been found. In November 2018, the claim said, Dean wrote a letter expressing her concerns about what she perceived as improper care her children were receiving while in the care of the Wests. Their bodies have never been found. 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. Jacqueline and Trezell West have been charged with six-felony counts, including two counts of second-degree murder. She did not reveal how the boys were killed or other facts of the 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. 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 case of the disappearance of Orrin and Orson West seemed to have deteriorated for a year at this point. Plantz says she only saw the man of the home coming and going at times. Data was continuing to be extracted from cellular and electronic devices, and seized items were being forensically examined. Brothers Orson and Orrin West -- ages 3 and 4, respectively, were reported missing by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. 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 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. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "On December 21, 2020, Orrin was four years old, Orson was 3 years old. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. They needed somewhere to stay but CPS doesn't care.". 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. "It's sad. 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. 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. For more than a year, the community prayed the boys would return home. Four other children, two adopted and two biological children of the Wests, were placed in protective custody. Orson The boys were reported missing on Update on the #OrrinandOrsonWest case. Further postponements are possible. At that point, 44 search warrants had been served, 83 people interviewed and 170 items seized. 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. "They didnt ask to come into this world to be treated like this," the boys' grandmother said. The FBI has also become involved in the investigation.No charges have been filed.Trezol and Jacqueline West have been cooperative, according to police, KGET reports. Orson The boys were reported missing on Monday, Dec 21st by their adoptive parents, Trezell West \u0026 Jaqueline West. Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. 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. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The couple has four other children who have been placed in protective custody. This family shouldnt have gone through this, McCoy said during an April interview. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. Who is involved? It's heartbreaking and our whole community has been out searching for them and there's no trace of them," Plantz said. Some of her concerns stem from what she said appeared to be injuries to one of the boy's bodies. Nine months later, they remain missing. Multiple searches were performed, but no trace of the boys were found. Ryan Dean, the boys mother, filed a claim the precursor to a lawsuit seeking $40 million. By seeking charges through an indictment, prosecutors could keep the proceedings confidential and have witnesses testify privately instead of in open court, as required in a preliminary hearing. And, prosecutors say, their killers were the two people trusted with their safety and well-being their adoptive parents. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. Suspecting abuse, Human Services took the child, the claim says. Pettus said. ", "Its a baby, he cant protect his little self.". Trezell and Jacqueline West, the adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West, appeared in court Thursday morning to be arraigned on two counts of 2nd-degree murder in a case that's drawn national attention. Plantz lives directly behind the home the missing boys apparently shared with their adoptive parents. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10bf63f89f3979 Human Services ignored reports of suspected abuse by the Wests, according to the claim, resulting in their deaths. Now, over a year after they were last seen, Trezell and Jacqueline have been arrested for their murders. Investigation has revealed that Orrin and Orson West are deceased. 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. 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