The biological mother of two California brothers alleged to have been killed by their adoptive parents filed a federal lawsuit saying her sons were removed from her care unlawfully. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "We have not ruled anyone out," Walker said. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. McCoy said deputies should not have taken the newborn child away from his mother, even to ensure the siblings remained together. The Wests are accused of killing brothers Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, before reporting them missing in December 2020. Orson West - The Charley Project Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The claim states Dean had no prior criminal record nor any allegations of abuse against her at the time Kern County Human Services unlawfully took her child.. Jan. 24The biological father and grandmother of missing California City boys, Orson and Orrin West, filed a complaint in Kern County Superior Court, alleging Kern County and Kern County. Dean had returned from work to find her then-3-month-old Orrin crying uncontrollably, the claim alleges. Biological Mother of Orrin and Orson West files a lawsuit - KBAK Trezell and Jacqueline West have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and other charges in the deaths of Orrin and Orson West. Their attorneys say the disappearance remains a missing persons case and that police took the easy way out to explain why they couldnt find the boys charge the parents with murder, KGET reports. Every DNA sample taken from a piece of evidence was compared to Trezell West, Jacqueline West, their two biological children, their two adopted children aside from Orrin and Orson and the biological parents of the toddlers who were reported missing. 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. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. While authorities said the brothers are dead, their bodies have not been found. Zimmer previously said that a week after the boys were reported missing "crucial information came to light" that brought in the involvement of police in Bakersfield. In June 2017, Dean gave birth to Orson. West trial: DNA evidence presents mixed picture of Cal City boys Fox Nationprograms are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. In September, Charles Pettus, the biological father of Orrin and Orson west and Brenda Pettus, Charles's Grandmother, filed a lawsuit against Kern County and the state of California. The Wests were indicted by a grand jury and arrested Tuesday night. He was told the boy had gone back to his grandmothers. Thank you for reading! We dont want no one to think its a cold case, because when it gets quiet its like no one thinks about them anymore, but we are going to keep going, Keisha Stevenson, a friend of the biological family, said. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. A 10-year-old boy told investigators he watched his toddler brother die one night and that another disappeared after he heard a loud thud in the night. . The Wests told police that the boys were last seen playing in their backyard. Missing Orrin & Orson West: Where Are The Boys? - Medium She was allowed supervised visitation with her kids once they were cared for by a foster mother. "Im not a criminal. The trial is expected to last until early June. "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. The trial is set to resume Wednesday morning at 9:00. Adoptive Parents Who Reported Kids Missing Charged in Their - People Biological family of missing Cal City boys file complaint - Yahoo "I went into the house, I came back out, I didn't see [them] there. West said he realized that he had "left the gate open, and I panicked, came inside the house, searched the house, me and my wife. The child's father said that he gave the baby two baths and that nothing else had happened that day. The brothers had been through a lot in their young lives much of it in foster care. Alekxia Torres Stallings, the attorney representing Jacqueline West, elicited testimony showing Kim did not receive the DNA straight from Orrin and Orson. The adoptive parents of California brothers Orrin and Orson West, who have been missing over a year, have been arrested on suspicion of killing the toddlers. Biological mom accuses adoptive parents of foul play after two boys go The boys were adopted in 2019. "No," Dean said as she testified via Zoom, with disbelief flashing across her face. The boys were removed from their biological mother's home by Child Protective Services and adopted by Trezell and Jacqueline West in September 2020. California police are still searching for two children who were reported missing by their adopted parents last month, Fox Nation host Nancy Grace said in a new episode of "Crime Stories.". Video-footage enhancing technology. The couple fostered them and then officially adopted them in 2019. That year, Trezell West, 34, and Jacqueline West, 31, became the boy's foster parents. California City West boy family claim and lawsuit - KGET 17 The trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West was back in session Tuesday. A huge search by law enforcement agencies and community members failed to find them. It was inconclusive if Orrin's DNA could match what was in the diaper. Ryan Dean, the biological mother of both Orrin and Orson later testified that she had an apartment in Arlington. The two boys DNA came to Kim after it had already been analyzed and converted into an electronic database showing the genetic makeup, rather than a live sample, he testified. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Ryan Dean, the biological mother of Orrin and Orson, was questioned by a defense attorney, Alekxia Torres Stallings, about whether she remembers an altercation between herself and Jacqueline West. Missing toddlers Orrin and Orson West are shown in undated family photos. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter. (Child Protective Services) failed here in Kern County.. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Whether heading on a camping trip, putting up guests or creating more sleeping space for a kids slumber party, air mattresses are useful to have. Dean reported her concerns to the human services department, but no action was taken, the lawsuit says. Sun and clouds mixed. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. But Smith argued that the boys died months before they were reported missing, in September 2020, and that for Orrin, at least, the death came while they still lived in Bakersfield. Speed. Charles Pettus, the boys' biological father, says it's been tormenting having to find out what happened to his children. Since then, the boys biological family has held monthly prayer vigils and conducted their own searches, but still no sign of the boys. Minyvonne Burkeis a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Last week, an FBI agent, during cross-examination by Hennessy, confirmed a tip had been received from someone who reported seeing the boys in Arlington, Texas months after they were reported missing. Orrin & Orson West, disappeared from California City, California at 4:00 p.m. on December 21, 2020. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. West Trial Day 12: Biological mother of Orrin and Orson testifies - MSN Alekxia Torres Stallings, attorney for Jacqueline West, walks between the defendants. They were 4 and 3 at the time they disappeared from their adoptive home. Police suspect foul play was involved in the boys' disappearance, according to California City Police Chief Jon Walker. Kim testified he didnt get any other toothbrushes from the West house to process, nor did he get any toys from the Wests house. The bodies of the children haven't been found. Orrin West and Orson West Falsely Reported Missing: DA - Law & Crime Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced that the investigation conducted has revealed that Orrin and Orson West are deceased, The investigation has also . BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) Emotions were high as Orrin and Orson Wests' biological family learned more about the events leading up to their death. DNA evidence presents mixed picture of toddlers' whereabouts The child said Orson West, 3, disappeared soon after. 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. For more details on the case and acloser look at some of today's most mysterious crime stories,join Fox Nationand watch"Crime Stories: Missing Boys.". Smith has said jurors will hear from each of the four children, who were taken into protective custody. Tuesday also brought testimony from Jacqueline West's sister, who spoke about messages and calls with Jacqueline. We want to shed light on this so this wont happen to any other family in Kern County, McCoy said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Kim was also tasked with analyzing DNA contained in mattress covers and blankets heaped on the childrens bunk beds in California City. The Wests have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, which include second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, child cruelty, falsely reporting an emergency, and conspiracy. A prosecutor focused on evidence Wednesday demonstrating the movements of two California City toddlers who were reported missing by their adoptive parents in an effort to show theyve been murdered. The brothers whose names were changed by their adoptive parents to Orrin and Orson West were reported missing in December 2020. West trial: DNA evidence presents mixed picture of Cal City boys' whereabouts, West trial: Biological mother of Cal City toddlers testifies, West trial: Witness recalls late September 2020 night, West trial: Prosecutor focuses on surveillance footage in murder trial of adoptive parents, Defense attorney targets interview of Cal City boys adoptive mother, West trial: Week 2 round-up of evidence from California City boys' adoptive parents' murder trial, Family of adoptive Cal City brothers grapples with one of their own facing murder charges, Adoptive mother of Cal City boys adamantly denies murder in video, Foster mother of 2 California City children testifies in murder trial, UPDATED: Cal City police chief testifies about defendant's demeanor, investigation into missing adoptive toddlers, Defense weaves doubt into Cal City police investigation of missing toddlers, The world is watching as Cal City murder trial unfolds, Defense attorney attacks officers police report about missing Cal City boys investigation, Video shows police confronting adoptive father over conflicting accounts of Cal City toddlers disappearance, Murder case against Cal City boys' adoptive parents to hinge on testimony from defendants other children, VIDEO: Christmas wonderland featuring the Grinch Mobile, Graphic Content: 2014 homicide of Abel Trujillo, Kern County Public Health Services Department, LOIS HENRY: 'Vibration' in Isabella Dam power plant causes temporary halt of Kern River outflows, Larry Hallum lifted people up through education, inspiration and love, Bakersfield doctor sentenced to 1 year, 1 day in prison for evading paying $300K in taxes, Chevron braces for possible flooding in Kern River Oil Field, LOIS HENRY: Kern River water heads north through flood channel but wont hit Tulare Lake yet, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 2 of ANRA season-opening weekend at Famoso Dragstrip, PHOTO GALLERY: April 22 racing at Bakersfield Speedway, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 1 of ANRA season-opening weekend at Famoso Dragstrip, PHOTO GALLERY: April 29 racing at Bakersfield Speedway, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 2 from ANRA season-opener at Famoso Dragstrip, PHOTO GALLERY: ARCA Menards Series West Event at KCRP, PHOTO GALLERY: NJBA Spring Fling boat racing at Lake Ming, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 2 of NJBA Spring Fling boat racing at Lake Ming, PHOTO GALLERY: Saturday night racing at Bakersfield Speedway. He heard the loud thump in the night never saw his brother again. "You were aggressive and confrontational with (Jacqueline West), correct?" The court also heard testimony Tuesday from David Hunter, an FBI agent who received a tip about the sighting of the two boys in Arlington, Texas. Family of missing toddlers speaks out, says they're public targets This same child heard a thud in Orsons room one night when the Wests first moved to California City and never saw the 3-year-old again, according to Smith. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The child said Orson West, 3, disappeared soon after. Orrin and Orson were removed from her home after an unfounded accusation regarding her biological daughter, Sanders said. West trial: Biological mother of Cal City toddlers testifies - Yahoo News Brothers Orson and Orrin West -- ages 3 and 4, respectively, were reported missing by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. The Wests reported the boys missing from their California City home three months later on Dec. 21, 2020. Their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, have been charged with murder. And what youll hear (through testimony), (Adrian) knew if they told somebody they would be taken away from their parents, Smith said. A dirty diaper showed at least two people contributed to the DNA profile, Kim testified. "They were playing with chalk [outside], I came into the house, I saw them there," West told KBAK/KBFX. Market data provided by Factset. When the boys' biological mother took the stand via Zoom Tuesday, the defense brought that tip back into question. A California couple told police their 2 adopted sons went missing in 2020. Orrin and Orson went missing from their adoptive parent's home. Dean immediately took Orrin to the emergency room at Memorial Hospital and learned her sons legs were broken, the claim states. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) With the prosecution expected to rest its case this week in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West, charged in the deaths of their two youngest children, the jury will hear from the cases most crucial witnesses: the Wests four other children. I looked down the street in both directions; it was getting dark, getting cold.". The boys are now presumed dead, and the Wests are on trial on charges including second-degree murder. ( NewsNation Now) A prayer vigil was held in Bakersfield, Calif., on Thursday, marking exactly 10 months since Orrin West, 4, and his brother Orson West, 3, were reported missing. Video-footage enhancing technology. A search by law enforcement agencies and community members yielded no results. or redistributed. Missing toddlers Orrin and Orson West are shown in undated family photos. Despite Dean attending court hearings for her childrens dependency and attending her monitored visits to see her children, CPS removed Deans parental rights in December 2018, according to the claim. If youre shopping for a new purse, check out these luxurious bags that look quite high-end, but cost less than $100. Orrin and Orson West, who were 4 and 3, were reported missing in 2020. Other witnesses called to the stand included several Bakersfield Police officers and detectives charged with gathering evidence from wiretap phone calls and DNA profiles. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. Whether heading on a camping trip, putting up guests or creating more sleeping space for a kids slumber party, air mattresses are useful to have. The murder trial in that case is scheduled to begin May 23. Ryan Dean is the biological mother of Orrin and Orson, born Cincere and Classic. After Orson was brought home, a Kern County sheriffs deputy took him away because the Kern County Human Services officials said they remove siblings together, according to the claim. Their trial is tentatively set for May 23. Cinsere, then 3 months old, was removed from his mother's care in 2016 after Dean said she came home and found him "crying uncontrollably," according to the lawsuit, filed June 17, which alleges civil rights violation and wrongful death. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, states Trezell and Jacqueline West officially adopted the boys in September 2020, though the brothers started living with the couple in late 2018. The Wests are charged with second-degree murder, among other offenses, and face life in prison if convicted. West trial: DNA evidence presents mixed picture of Cal City boys When given the chance during cross-examination, Defense Attorney Timothy Hennessy asked Dean if she lives in Texas. The Disappearance of Orrin and Orson West - True Crime Diva Pettus and the grandmother requested the West boys be released to their custody, but CPS did not fulfill their requests, according to the Pettuses claim. Orrin was first taken from his biological parents after he was transported to the hospital in 2016, according to the claim. DNA results from one toothbrush collected from the West home showed it was used by a woman, he added. 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 . Orrin and Orson. Wiretapped phone calls. Unknown to Dean, CPS allowed Trezell and Jacqueline West to formally adopt the brothers in September 2020, the claim states. "They had no emotion on their face," Dean said of both adoptive parents, describing when she approached them to ask what happened. Trezell and Jacqueline West told police in December 2020 that 4- and 3-year-old Orrin and Orson disappeared from their backyard. They told police Orrin and Orson both of whom they adopted disappeared while playing in the backyard of the California City home. Adrian, the couples oldest biological child Orrin, Orson, and two other children were adopted will testify that he awoke one night to odd noises coming from Orrin and that he saw the color drain from his brothers face before he vomited and died, Smith told the court. McCoy said he based the request for $40 million on similar cases. Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said during a March 2 news conference announcing the charges that the boys bodies have never been found. Other evidence showed the boys didn't contribute to the DNA left behind, according to Kim. Ryan Dean is the biological mother of Orrin and Orson, born Cincere and Classic. Story tips can be sent to yael.halon@fox.com. California couple charged with killing adopted sons missing since 2020 Brothers, 3 & 4, 'looked skinny & one had a bruise on his neck' before They seemed scared, they were losing weight and Orson had scratches on his face, the claim states. Neighbor surveillance shows Trezell jumping into that van looking for the boys. West Trial: Children's testimony, more on Arlington addresses expected Closing arguments are expected to be given around mid-May. When asked by defense attorney Alekxia Torres Stallings, Dean said while she didn't get along with the Wests, she denied being confrontational or argumentative with them, even though such behavior was noted by Child Protective Services. He said he is unsure why the deputy removed the child because of facts being withheld by Kern County Human Services. His parents didnt call for help, he told investigators, and instead discussed keeping Orrins death a secret. Biological father of Orson and Orrin West remains hopeful 10 months Charles Pettus is the biological father of Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, whose birth names were Cinsere and Classic Pettus. The Wests three other children also told law enforcement Orrin and Orson hadnt been seen for weeks when the Wests reported them missing on Dec. 21, 2020, according to testimony. Torres Stallings finished by asking if Dean had ever lied law enforcement in this investigation and Dean answered saying she did in the beginning. [Featured image: Orrin and Olson West/handout], Rasheem Carter: More Remains Discovered of Man Found Decapitated With Severed Genitals in Mouth, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: Handsome Tech Star Staggers Begging for Help, STABBED DEAD, Letecia Stauch Murder Trial: Expert Tracks Accused Killer Stepmoms Phone During, After Gannon Stauch Disappearance, subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. There were numerous items from which Kim collected DNA such as toothbrushes, blankets, mattress pads, car seats and gardening tools which were once in the California City home of defendants Jacqueline and Trezell West. The boys were reported missing from their family's backyard in the desert town of California City on Dec. 21, 2020.