Trezell and Jacqueline have two biological children and two additional adoptive ones. When given the chance during cross-examination, Defense Attorney Timothy Hennessy asked Dean if she lives in Texas. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Dean had returned from work to find her then-3-month-old Orrin crying uncontrollably, the claim alleges. Emotions were high as Orrin and Orson Wests' biological family learned more about the events leading up to their death. Ryan Dean, the birth mother of Orrin and Orson, testified by Zoom after the agent. Almost 15 months ago, Orrin and Orson West's adoptive parents told police the young boys disappeared from the family's Southern California yard, authorities said. A dirty diaper showed at least two people contributed to the DNA profile, Kim testified. West/Watkins Family "We offered a reward out of our own pockets," the missing boys' uncle, Jamal Watkins, told ABC News. That day, the other children were away visiting their grandparents . Orrin and Orson West, who were 4 and 3, were reported missing in 2020. Wiretapped phone calls. #WestsTrial 25 Apr 2023 21:27:33 The bodies of Orrin and Orson have not been found. Low 51F. Family of missing toddlers speaks out, says they're public targets Dean lost custody of then 3-month-old Orrin after he broke his leg while he was being cared for by Charles Pettus, the father of Orson. Hennessy represents Trezell West. For Pettus, who lost another child in an accident, hes remaining hopeful he will see his sons again. The agencys disregard of her concerns for the boys led to their deaths, according to the claim. However, Hunter testified he didn't make a report documenting if he followed up on this information he only passed it along to the Bakersfield Police Department. Orrin and Orson West: Trial Begins for Parents of Missing Toddlers, Charged With Murder by KC Wildmoon March 29, 2023 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 toddlers' biological mother, Ryan Dean, said she is "devastated.". She testified she went to Trezell and Jacqueline West's house to ask what happened soon after learning. The child's father said that he gave the baby two baths and that nothing else had happened that day. However, Dean testified she didn't know her kids were adopted or that their names were changed. The agent testified the information was forwarded to Bakersfield police. We want to shed light on this so this wont happen to any other family in Kern County, McCoy said. 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Other evidence showed the boys didn't contribute to the DNA left behind, according to Kim. West trial: DNA evidence presents mixed picture of Cal City boys Thank you for reading! They lived with their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. 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.". It was inconclusive if Orrins DNA could match what was in the diaper. ", RANDOM SPREE OF CHRISTMAS 'JOY KILLINGS' STILL HAUNTS VICTIMS' FAMILY 30 YEARS LATER. I mean, these guys are scavenging the desert themselves. ( 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. Numerous witnesses everyone from police officers, criminalists and FBI personnel to family members testified as the case resumed hearing testimony after a break in testimony. Biological mom of two. The boys are now presumed dead, and the Wests are on trial on charges including second-degree murder. Evidence will not be presented again until Monday. Go to Fox Nationto start a free trial and watch the extensive library from Tomi Lahren, Pete Hegseth, Abby Hornacek, Laura Ingraham, Ainsley Earhardt, Greg Gutfeld,and many more of your favorite Fox News personalities and thrilling blockbusters. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The boys were adopted in 2019. A dirty diaper showed at least two people contributed to the DNA profile, Kim testified. WNW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. The missing boys lived with the Wests since 2018. "Right now there are people outside the home, talking about where are the boys," said West. Brothers Orson and Orrin West -- ages 3 and 4, respectively, were reported missing by their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. That day, the other children were away visiting their grandparents. The child said Orson West, 3, disappeared soon after. WNW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. March 2, 2022 Updated 11:48 AM PT. West Trial, Day 12: Were the boys seen in Arlington, Texas? "It's like people don't realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are," West said. They were 4 and 3 at the time they disappeared from their adoptive home. Tuesday, Dean testified that when the boys were less than a year old, Orrin, born Cincere, broke his leg. It says that the boys seemed "scared" and had lost weight and that Classic "had scratches on his face." Their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, have been charged with their deaths. 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. The Wests told police that the boys were last seen playing in their backyard. An X-ray did not show any other injuries, according to the suit. When the boys' biological mother took the stand via Zoom Tuesday, the defense brought that tip back into question. They told police Orrin and Orson both of whom they adopted disappeared while playing in the backyard of the California City home. 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 boys were in the care of another family, but in late 2018, without provocation, CPS placed Orrin and Orson into the Wests home for no reason, according to the claim. All rights reserved. Ryan Dean, the birth mother of Orrin and Orson, testified by Zoom after the agent. Orrin and Orson. It was inconclusive if Orrin's DNA could match what was in the diaper. She said she sent Christmas gifts in 2020, including building blocks for Orrin and Orson, and recalls seeing children during a video call, but couldn't remember exactly who all she saw. In June 2017, Dean gave birth to Orson. 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. Dean immediately took Orrin to the emergency room at Memorial Hospital and learned her sons legs were broken, the claim states. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. 00:00 / 00:00. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Hollywood braces for potential strike with WGA contract set to expire, Free COVID-19 tests aren't guaranteed after May 11, El Camino HS academic decathlon team wins national championship. 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.". Video-footage enhancing technology. No matter how long it takes, how hard its going to be, I wont give, I will never give up.. Neighbor surveillance shows Trezell jumping into that van looking for the boys. Biological mom accuses adoptive parents of foul play after two boys go When he returned the boys were gone. Orrin and Orson were removed from her home after an unfounded accusation regarding her biological daughter, Sanders said. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) The lawyer of Ryan Dean, the biological mother of Orrin and Orson West, says, once she heard from Kern County District Attorney, Cynthia Zimmer last. She took foster parenting classes, obtained CPR certification and had a psychological evaluation, according to the claim. Missing toddlers Orrin and Orson West are shown in undated family photos. They seemed scared, they were losing weight and Orson had scratches on his face, the claim states. I dont want my kids to be deceased, I want them to come back home because my kids is all I got, Charles Pettus, biological father to the West boys, said. Sixteen months have passed since toddlers Orrin and Orson West were first reported missing. The claim, which is listed on the Kern County Board of Supervisors agenda for a closed session discussion Tuesday, alleges numerous events led up to the adoption of Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, by Trezell and Jacqueline West, who were indicted Feb. 28 on murder charges in the boys deaths. They were ordered held without bail, with the judge calling them "a significant and substantial risk to public safety. Orrin and Orson West, 4 and 3, respectively, were reported missing from their home in . "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. Attorneys for the Wests entered not guilty pleas on behalf of their clients, who face second-degree murder charges in the boys' deaths. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) Since the beginning of the West trial, the court has heard from the defense that at some point, police received a tip about a possible sighting of the Orrin and Orson in Arlington, Texas. Crime Stories with Nancy Grace on Fox Nation: Missing Boys. McCoy said deputies should not have taken the newborn child away from his mother, even to ensure the siblings remained together. 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. As the community continues holding vigils, the family is reminding everyone they're in deep pain too. Biological father of Orson and Orrin West remains hopeful 10 months Orrin and Orson were born to Charles Pettus ( Biological Father ). Torres Stallings also asked Dean if she's ever lied to law enforcement. 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Orrin and Orson had been living with Trezell and Jacqueline West in California City at the time of their disappearance, according to the outlet. and last updated 5:27 PM, Mar 02, 2022. A search by law enforcement agencies and community members yielded no results. So it's a lot of relief on our family.". "We offered a reward out of our own pockets," the missing boys' uncle, Jamal Watkins, told ABC News. "We're talking about multiple searches, two $10,000 rewards. [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. California City Police are urging those withinformation on the whereabouts of the boys to contact them at (760)373-8606. Their biological father, Charles Pettus, has raised concerns about the adoption process and has filed a lawsuit against Kern County officials. However, there were mattress covers in which Orrin could not be excluded as the DNAs contributor or it was inconclusive if Orson left the DNA behind. But now the adoptive dad's family says they're targets -- not from authorities -- but from the public. Missing in America: The case of Orrin and Orson West - NewsNation The boys' biological family would like the children to be known by their birth names instead of the names given to them by their adoptive parents. The lack of toothbrushes and dirty diapers led California City police officers to believe the toddlers didnt live in California City, according to prior testimony. "It is misguided to blame uncles and aunts and grandparents for children who are missing that we love and care about and are trying to find," Watkins said. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Pettus and the boys paternal grandmother, Brenda Pettus, have also sued CPS, alleging that social workers negligently placed the toddlers into the supervision of Trezell and Jacqueline West. FBI Agent David Hunter testified before Dean that he received a tip from Arlington, Texas that the boys had been spotted in this town after being asked by defense attorney Timothy Hennessy. 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. 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. Kim testified he didnt get any other toothbrushes from the West house to process, nor did he get any toys from the Wests house. This wide-ranging evidence was presented by a prosecutor Tuesday as he attempted to prove adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West murdered their adoptive children Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, West before the boys were reported missing from California City. High near 70F. Slight chance of a rain shower. Torres Stallings has previously remarked on a California City police officers lack of training in interviewing child witnesses. 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, I got in the van and I hit a bunch of corners," he toldKBAK/KBFX. 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. Its been 10 months and there are still no answers on the whereabouts of Orson and Orrin West, but the boys biological family is still holding out hope theyll be found safe. Since then, the boys biological family has held monthly prayer vigils and conducted their own searches, but still no sign of the boys. The suit . Their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West, have been charged with murder. 25Wiretapped phone calls. Later that day, a Memorial Hospital staff member informed Dean that Kern County Human Services would be taking Orrin because they believed he had been abused, the claim alleges. The suit says no allegations of abuse were lodged against Dean when Cinsere was removed. The couple is charged with second-degree murder in the presumed deaths of their adoptive sons, Orrin and Orson. They took my family, they took my kids away from me, my kids are my life, Pettus said. The brothers, Orrin West, 4, and Orson West, 3, had been put up for adoption by their biological mother, Ryan Dean, shortly after they were born, KBAK/KBFX reports. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The bodies of the children haven't been found. Orrin & Orson West, disappeared from California City, California at 4:00 p.m. on December 21, 2020. Orson was also taken away from Dean about 11 days after he was born, Dean added. His parents didnt call for help, he told investigators, and instead discussed keeping Orrins death a secret. He heard the loud thump in the night never saw his brother again. At this point, Dean said she started seeing a change in her children. Trezell and Jacqueline West both pleaded not guilty to a pair of second-degree murder charges, two counts of willful cruelty to children and a single misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an emergency in the deaths of the West boys. The biological mother and maternal grandmother of Orrin and Orson West two California City brothers who were adopted by a couple now facing murder charges in their deaths filed a. Parents of missing California City boys charged with murder - Los Father of Cal City missing boys files lawsuit against Kern County Dean said she has an apartment in Arlington and goes back and forth between residences. She was allowed supervised visitation with her kids once they were cared for by a foster mother. They lived with their adoptive parents, Trezell and Jacqueline West. Moorer sought to prove the West boys could reside with her. If youre shopping for a new purse, check out these luxurious bags that look quite high-end, but cost less than $100. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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Charles Pettus is the biological father of Orrin and Orson, whose birth names were Classic and Cincere. Last month, adoptive parents Trazell and Jacqueline West were arrested on murder charges. Adamant testimony. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. Orrin and Orson West were born Cincere and Classic Pettus in 2016 and 2017, respectively. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "I could finally get some sleep now, you know, knowing they're not out just running. 3 who had been renamed Orrin and Orson West had been playing in the backyard of their . Judge Charles Brehmer, presiding over the trial, noted in court the case is moving along faster than expected and jury deliberations could begin by mid-to-late May. Ryan Dean, the biological mother of both Orrin and Orson later testified that she had an apartment in Arlington. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The county has 45 days to respond, he added. Adrian West, now 12, will testify to what he heard and saw about the disappearances of Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, reported as missing by their parents on December 21, 2020, prosecutor Eric Smith said Tuesday during his opening statement at the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West, now charged with the boys murder. 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. 3, 2022. Mother Of Boys Allegedly Killed By Adoptive Parents Sues Over Kids Orrin West and Orson West were named Classic Pettus and Cincere Pettus at birth. asked Torres Stallings. The brothers had been through a lot in their young lives much of it in foster care. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Police suspect foul play was involved in the boys' disappearance, according to California City Police Chief Jon Walker. "They had no emotion on their face," Dean said of both adoptive parents, describing when she approached them to ask what happened. KGET 17 News on Twitter: "Jacqueline West in other messages that day You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. In 2019 the West Family officially adopted Cincere and Classic and changed their names to Orrin and Orson West. 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.. Orrin and Orson also had visitations with Dean when they were placed with the Wests. I was looking through family members phones and then we watched the news, thats how we found out, Pettus said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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.