Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. It goes on to say Deans mother, Dana Moorer filed requests to have the boys placed with her. pic.twitter.com/3VojKlE6yY. 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. TWO boys allegedly killed in a double murder looked skinny and one had a bruised neck before they disappeared, their grandmother claims. ! chanted participants in a February 2021 vigil in Bakersfield. "The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.". Pettus has also filed suit and has a hearing scheduled for August. Orson The boys were reported missing on Monday, Dec 21st by their adoptive parents, Trezell West \u0026 Jaqueline West. The two boys were reported missing from California City in 2020. The community reached out to Eyewitness News for a follow-up story on the mysterious disappearance. The Department of Human Services revoked Deans parental rights and denied Moorers requests. West/Watkins Family "We offered a reward out of our own pockets," the missing boys' uncle, Jamal Watkins, told ABC News. Trezell told Further postponements are possible. The adoptive parents thanked the community for the outpouring of support. "This is a hard one," he said. Why didnt CPS look into that?" Orrin and Orson West's bodies have not been yet found by the authorities yet but the investigation has determined they have passed away. The couple originally announced the 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. 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. In June 2017, Dean gave birth to Orson. Investigators haven't released information about what led to the conclusion that the boys are no longer alive. Police said this case "is not a cold case." Orrin and Orson West were reported missing from the West's California City home in December 2020. 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. 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. Who is involved? Jacqueline and Trezell West, the adoptive parents of Orrin and Orson West, will be in court on Wed, March 1. 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. We now realize that the search for the boys began after the real tragedy had already occurred. Originally set to start in May, the trial was moved back to July 25. They don't know anything.Cal City Police Chief talks about private investigator involved in case of missing boys Orrin and Orson West.The search continues for two toddlers Orrin and Orson West from California City who went missing from their foster home. 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. 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. 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. "I would like to emphasize that the fact that law enforcement has not found their bodies does not preclude a murder prosecution," she said. WebOrson west, and Orrin west were reported missing 12/21/2020 from California city located in Kern County, California. The boys were declared dead by the Kern County District Attorney's Office last year even though their bodies have not been found. Jacqueline and Trezell are accused of killing the two young boys in December 2020. Follow the article till the end to learn more. Orrin (left) and Orson West. Who is involved? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. BPD said they are working closely with experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with 'technical experts' from the FBI. 4-year-old Orrin West, left, and 3-year-old Orson West reportedly disappeared in fall 2020. Your IP: The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. ", "It's difficult. 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. Orson and Orrin's bodies have not been found. Sacramento County Superior Court On Dec. 21, 2020, the Wests told California City police that Orrin and Orson had disappeared while playing in the familys backyard, Zimmer recounted. WebA brief synopsis of what occurred: On December 23rd, Orrin, 4 and Orsin, West were reported missing by their adoptive parents. Trezell told police that the boys wandered out of their California City, California backyard while he was gathering firewood. ", "Its a baby, he cant protect his little self.". On a daily basis theres case movement, theres interviews that occur, said BPD spokesman Sgt. Nine months later, they remain missing. Then, on March 1, the adoptive parents were each charged with second-degree murder in connection with the boys' deaths. They searched and raised reward money, but little did they know, authorities had already uncovered a huge piece of the case. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Just days before Christmas, Orrin West and his younger brother Orson were reported missing from their home in California City. 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. Prosecutors have also asked for reports to be sealed. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10bf63f89f3979 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. 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 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. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. As CrimeOnline previously reported , Orson and Orrin West, ages 3 and 4, were last seen on December 21, 2020, at a home in the 10700 block of Aspen Avenue, in California City, at around 5:45 p.m., according to what their parents told police. 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 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. Jacqueline and Trezell West have been charged with six-felony counts, including two counts of second-degree murder. 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. The bodies of Orrin and Orson been found? The investigation has also revealed that they died three months before their adoptive parents reported them missing.. 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. 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. "It's one we don't want to mess up. 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. 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. Police have undergone multiple massive searches for the boys. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Charles Pettus, the biological father of Orrin and Orson, spoke with KGET in October, 10 months after their disappearance. pic.twitter.com/tj9KKZFQV0. Offers may be subject to change without notice. That proved frustrating to some, leading to arguments and even an arrest. But the boys remained missing and no arrests were made. The Wests, who adopted the boys, gave aninterviewafter they vanished. Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, had been playing outside in the early evening, adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West told police. 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. Zimmer said she could not comment on whether there would be any more arrests. Their adoptive parents, Trezell West, 35, and Jacqueline West, 32, claimed that the two boys disappeared from the backyard while playing. Orrin and Orson West were reported missing on January 21st, 2020 by their adoptive parents and still haven't been found. Authorities and the community are still searching for two missing boys in California City. Some in the community turned on the Wests. Their adoptive parents maintain the brothers disappeared from their home's backyard Dec. 21 of last year. If you didnt do the right thing, do the right thing now and tell us where they are now. Wills said. 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 stakes are too high.". BPD said a detective has been assigned as the full0time lead investigator along with a team of detectives and crime analysts. 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. 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. Two brothers, Orson West, 3, and Orrin West, 4, went missing days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails to indulge in. It was announced this Nine months later, the search for them continues. So while news of two missing children was certainly alarming, searchers remained hopeful. The two brothers reportedly disappeared from Bakersfield, California in December of 2020 while playing in their backyard. "This morning, I'm saddened to announce that the investigation has revealed that Orrin and Orson West are deceased," said Zimmer. 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. There was a scar. According to Trezell and Jacqueline West, the boys adoptive parents, 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. All family members connected to the boys were interviewed, police said. By the next morning, the community came together in the first of many massive searches. Search continues for missing California toddlers who disappeared days before Christmas. The two were last seen on Dec. 21 in the California City area. "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. RELATED: Search continues for missing California toddlers who disappeared days before Christmas. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. She did not reveal how the boys were killed or other facts of the case. He realized he left the gate open and conducted a frantic search of the neighborhood before calling 911, Trezell West told police. 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. Orrin and Orson West were reported missing on January 21st, 2020 by their adoptive parents and still haven't been found. Police and the FBI searched the Wests home and seized phones and other electronic devices. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He was released into her care, according to the claim, but days later was taken from her. Many questions remain surrounding their disappearance. Their van was towed and inspected. However, the search results were not made public. He said he briefly went indoors and when he came back out the children were missing. BPD took over the investigation on March 1. We're going through it.". Police and volunteers searched the area using K-9s but came up empty. According to Trezell and Jacqueline West, the boys adoptive parents, the boys disappeared from their backyard on Dec. 21. After my parents go, its just me and my kids., Grand jury hears evidence, Wests indicted. Orrin was 4 years old and Orson was 3 at the time they vanished. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. I searched a bunch of corners, I searched and searched and I called their names, said Trezell West, the adoptive father. CNN Almost 15 months ago, Orrin and Orson Wests adoptive We want to bring them home to give them a proper burial.. Nine months later, they remain missing. The couple originally announced the disappearance of Despite massive searches in Southern California following their disappearance, investigators say the boys' bodies haven't been found. and last updated 8:46 AM, Mar 02, 2022 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) The Bakersfield Police Department released a case update for the disappearance of Orrin and 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. ", RELATED: Reward increases to $120K for missing CA toddlers; family says they're public targets. 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. "They dont need to hand out children to any old people to get rid them. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Around mid-February, KGET received word a couple vans had been spotted outside the California City home. It's heartbreaking and our whole community has been out searching for them and there's no trace of them," Plantz said. The question now is where are the boys bodies? said Rosanna Wills, Orrin and Orsons biological cousin. We want to bring them home to give them a proper burial.. Orson The boys were reported missing on "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. 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. Biological father of Orson and Orrin West remains hopeful 10 months after their disappearance from California City. The gag order also applies to witnesses and court personnel with access to reports filed in the case. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. (California City Police Dept.). 3 Kansas City officers shot while executing search warrant, chief says, Roof collapses at nonprofit South LA clinic, causing $500K in damage, Video shows group of sharks in feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast. The little words that the biological family are left with are sending a strong message to Jaqueline and Trezell. "They didnt ask to come into this world to be treated like this," the boys' grandmother said. "Nobody likes to be accused of that, but I think the product of the work when the truth comes to light is going to speak for itself. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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