GUILTY CA - Classic (Orson West, 3) & Cincere (Orrin West, 4), still missing, Calif. City, *Mistrial on counts 4 & 5)* 21 Dec 2020 #8

[cuffem]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

We're back in session in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West. Wanda West, Trezell's mother, is testifying via Zoom. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she is in Washington, D.C., visiting one of her sons. She has three sons, Trezell is the middle child. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said Trezell and Jacqueline have been married since 2010, have 2 biological children. #WestsTrial

She said she lived on Potomac Avenue back in 2020, when the boys were reported missing. She said she had lived there since about 1999. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified her son and daughter-in-law became involved in foster care around 2015. She identified a photo taken in 2019 of the four adopted children the Wests had. #WestsTrial

At the Potomac Avenue house she lived with her husband and youngest son. #WestsTrial

Before 2020, she went to Casa Loma Apartments -- where the Wests lived before moving to Cal City -- about two or three times a month. Sometimes to babysit, sometimes to visit. #WestsTrial

In March of 2020 Wanda West said COVID hit and she didn't get to see them as much.She said she stopped going. #WestsTrial

Wanda West is describing the personality of each of the Wests' children. She's describing the biological and adopted children. She said Orrin was very quiet, had maybe a learning disability. Orson would cry if he didn't know you, but would calm down with toys. #WestsTrial

Wand West said she became aware the Wests purchased a house in California City. She said she agreed to help them move. She agreed to watch the 4 older boys while they moved. #WestsTrial

She rented a U-Haul truck for the Wests, and rented a car for herself to drive to Cal City. She doesn't own a car. #WestsTrial

On Sept. 18, she got the rental car, got the U-Haul, and went to Cal City, Wanda West said. Prosecutor Eric Smith is asking about the rental agreement for the U-Haul. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified she arrived at Cal City between 11 am. and noon on Sept. 18, 2020. She said Trezell and Jacqueline greeted her. She walked in the door and she said she saw four boys in the house -- not Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she didn't ask about Orrin or Orson. She said she thought they were with Jacqueline's mother, Maria Martinez. #WestsTrial

"You just assumed that Orrin and Orson were with Miss Martinez?" Smith asked. "Yes," Wanda West said. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she thinks she last saw Orrin and Orson in February of 2020. She said, due to covid, Trezell would drive boy, the older boys would get out of the van and say hi, and they would tell her Orrin and Orson were in the van. #WestsTrial

While at the house on Sept. 18, 2020, Wanda West said she watched videos with the kids, walked around, and during that time Trezell and Jacqueline traveled back to Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she believes she heard Trezell and Jacqueline come home later that night or early the next morning. She said she didn't see Orrin or Orson with them. She walked into the kitchen and saw Trezell and Jacqueline. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went back to bed. She awoke on Sept. 19, 2020. She got a call or text from U-Haul telling her to turn the truck back in. She said she knocked the door to wake up Trezell and Jacqueline West to tell them about the truck. #WestsTrial

The Wests got up and started unloading the truck, Wanda West said. She said she went to the door and saw them removing boxes from the truck, and they brought in those and furniture. #WestsTrial

She said the Wests on Sept. 18, 2020 had driven the white van to Bakersfield, left it there and picked up the U-Haul, driving it to Cal City. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified she didn't see Orrin or Orson as they unloaded the truck. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said on Sept. 19, 2020, she went to the U-Haul in Cal City and rented the truck for another day. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she was with the 4 older boys for about an hour when she went to a credit union and a McDonald's. When she returned with the boys she said she didn't see Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said Trezell and Jacqueline on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2020 left in the U-Haul to return to Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said they probably went to bed between 10 or 11 p.m. She said she's not sure what time the Wests got home. She said she was supposed to go back to Bakersfield on Sept. 20, 2020. She got up at 7 a.m. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she watched TV with the 4 older boys. She said Trezell and Jacqueline were probably putting things away. The truck had to be returned that morning. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she did not see Orrin or Orson that morning. #WestsTrial

The U-Haul was returned in California City. Trezell drove the vehicle, and Wanda West went with him. They drove back in her rental car to the house in Cal City. #WestsTrial

She had lunch with the four older boys, didn't see Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went back home that afternoon, after 4 p.m. When she got back to Bakersfield it was dark. Trezell went with her. Jacqueline and the 4 older boys remained at the Cal City house. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went to Casa Loma Apartments so Trezell could pick up the white van. She said she dropped him off, turned around and saw him driving behind her. They went in different directions leaving the apartment complex. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she doesn't recall speaking with Trezell on Dec. 5, 2020, about visiting her house. #WestsTrial

Smith showed Wanda West a document with a message in which she wrote on Dec. 4, 2020 asking Trezell what time he was coming tomorrow. #WestsTrial

She got a response saying "in the morning," according to the document. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she got robes for the Wests. Her son responded saying he and Jacqueline loved the robes. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 16, 2020, Wanda West sent a message to the Wests. It says she would like a family picture of everyone by the fireplace wearing their robes. She said she never got that picture. #WestsTrial

Wanda West has become emotional, saying she never got the photo because of what happened days later. She had wanted the photo as a Christmas present. Wanda West can be seen crying through the Zoom camera but said she's ready to proceed. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said there was a plan before Christmas for her to keep the four older boys from Dec. 19 to Dec. 23 or 24, 2020. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 19, Wanda West said the four boys were dropped off. Orrin and Orson weren't with them and she thought they were with Maria Martinez. But Wanda West added they may have been in the back of the van, she didn't see them. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went to a credit union with Trezell and Jacqueline on Sept. 19, 2020. They went there to get the Wests soe gas money. She said she didn't see Orrin or Orson in the van but Jacqueline West told her they were in the back asleep. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said the seats are high in the van so you can't see the back seat of the van where the kids sit. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she didn't see or hear Orrin or Orson in the van when they went to the credit union. She said music was playing in the van. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said when she left the van she didn't make an attempt to say goodbye to Orrin or Orson because her son and daughter-in-law told her they were sleeping. "No, I did not," she said when Smith asked if she made an attempt to see them. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 22, 2020, police arrived at Wanda West's home and told her Orrin and Orson had been reported missing. An officer interviewed the four other boys at her home, she said. #WestsTrial

The other four children were removed from her home. She was allowed to visit them once a month. The last time she visited them was last month. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning and court will be in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

Pommy or anyone,
I made a mistake on a date (month) of when Wanda said she last saw the children I wrote March and she stated she thinks Feb. Since the tweets are here do I need to alert a mod or is it ok to leave it?

 

[Laughing]

Poor kid, and poor Grandma!

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 2
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Cross-examination of Sunya Barton, CPS)

Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead attorney for Jacqueline West, has begun cross-examination. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about investigations and how CPS conducts them, how the process works. #WestsTrial

Barton said they'll make a referral, and if it's a criminal matter they're work with law enforcement. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if CPS relies on law enforcement to give them the details of the investigation. Barton said yes because they're the lead on forensic interviews. #WestsTrial

Barton agreed general neglect falls under a wide variety of circumstances. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings said she wants to talk about the history of forensic interviews. She asked about the McMartin case, and Barton said she's not familiar with it. She also said she wasn't familiar with another case referenced by the attorney. #WestsTrial

Barton testified the FBI requested the first initial interviews with the children because of the circumstances, believing young children were missing. #WestsTrial

Bakersfield Police Department was not involved at that time, Barton said. #WestsTrial

The FBI watched from another room as she conducted interviews with the children, Barton said. The other children sat in a room with coloring books and other activities for them. Those children couldn't hear what the child being interviewed said. #WestsTrial

Grandmother Wanda West was in the lobby with the children as they were brought back one by one to be interviewed. #WestsTrial

Parents and guardians aren't allowed to sit in during interviews regarding a criminal investigation, Barton said. #WestsTrial

It turned into a criminal matter after the children were interviewed, Barton said. She said the interviews from Dec. 22, 2020, provided enough for the FBI to pass the case to the Bakersfield Police Department. #WestsTrial

Asked if it's important to have no emotional tone when conducting interviews, Barton said no. She said you need to establish a rapport with the child. But she agreed it's important to remain objective. #WestsTrial

Even if a forensic interviewer believes the parents are guilty of something, that belief shouldn't be disclosed during the interview, she said. #WestsTrial

Barton said she doesn't have training or follow up on studies about suggestibility in children. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about Barton's training on child abduction, human trafficking. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Pommy or anyone,
I made a mistake on a date (month) of when Wanda said she last saw the children I wrote March and she stated she thinks Feb. Since the tweets are here do I need to alert a mod or is it ok to leave it?

What I usually do is quote my post and say something like:

CORRECTION TO POST ABOVE - "_____________" should read "______________."

But you can also alert a mod if it's too late to edit it. Up to you!

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 3
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Continued cross-examination of Sunya Barton, CPS)

Court is back in session with Sunya Barton still on the stand. She's testifying about "the corridor," where female teen victims are trafficking for prostitution. It goes from Kern County to Los Angeles to San Diego, Las Vegas. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if human trafficking goes to Texas. Yes, Barton said. #WestsTrial

Barton said her time frame in questioning the boys focused on August and September of 2020. #WestsTrial

Barton said she was not aware law enforcement had interviewed the children hours before her first interview. She did not view any videos taken of those interviews. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if it's standard for her to tell children she doesn't know what's happening with their family. Barton said yes, it's standard to let them know she doesn't know exactly what's happened in their family. #WestsTrial

Judge Charles R. Brehmer has called a sidebar after an objection from Smith. #WestsTrial

They're back, and Torres Stallings is referring to a transcript of the interview Barton conducted with one of the children. #WestsTrial

During the interview, Torres Stallings says, the Wests' eldest son talked with Barton about Orrin and Orson's biological family. She directed Barton to a passage of the transcript. #WestsTrial

Barton said it's correct the boy said he had seen the biological family before. Then she moved on to another topic. But Torres Stallings said the boy brought the biological family up again in his 3rd interview with Barton. #WestsTrial

Smith objected on the grounds of relevance based on the sidebar they just had. The judge is looking at the transcript. #WestsTrial

Judge Brehmer said he'll allow Barton to read the portion indicated by Torres Stallings, then see what the next question is. #WestsTrial

After multiple objections to Torres Stallings' questions, the judge has called another sidebar. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys have returned. #WestsTrial

Barton said she didn't change the subject regarding the passage Torres Stallings had her read. She said the child had finished his statement. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about the allegations one of the children made about spanking. Barton said she watched the video with the rest of the room. She said the child never said when the spanking occurred. #WestsTrial

Barton said children undergo a physical evaluation when they enter the Jamison Center. The Wests' children were placed in protective custody and taken to the Jamison Center, Barton said. She said she would assume an evaluation was conducted. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has testified 5 times in her career. Torres Stallings asked her to wait until she has finished asking a question before responding. Barton said okay. #WestsTrial

After the forensic interview, she had nothing else to do with the investigation, Barton said. She doesn't know if marks were found on the boys' bodies. #WestsTrial

That's not her part of the investigation, Barton said when Torres Stallings asked if she followed up to see if marks had been found on the boys. #WestsTrial

Barton testified there are certain protocols to follow when conducting a forensic interview. #WestsTrial

Barton said she is not licensed as a social worker through the state, and never has been. #WestsTrial

Barton said she doesn't know if state protocols differ from the protocols required under Child Protective Services. #WestsTrial

Interview tactics differ depending on the case. Barton said this was the first missing persons forensic interview she had conducted in her 11 years with the department. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has moved on to the second interview Barton conducted with the Wests' eldest biological son. #WestsTrial

This forensic interview came up because the child, placed with a resource family, had seen news feeds regarding his parents and had questions, Barton said. #WestsTrial

The resource parent informed a social worker, who Barton assumes told law enforcement and a follow-up interview was requested. #WestsTrial

Barton testified the resource parent was upset with what the boy had told her. #WestsTrial

The second interview occurred Dec. 28, 2020. Barton said she was probably aware of some other details that had come out about the case but can't recall specifics. #WestsTrial

Barton said she can't recall knowing the West vehicle had been forensically evaluated, but said she recalls someone saying there was no evidence. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has not reviewed text messages between herself and another social worker. She said she doesn't recall the other worker reminding her about the smell in the vehicle. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings showed Barton a document, and Barton said it does not refresh her memory. #WestsTrial

Barton testified after her first interviews with all four children she believed the eldest child was not being truthful. She had that belief when she conducted the 2nd interview with the eldest child. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning. On redirect, Barton said she felt like the eldest boy was not being truthful, didn't want to get parents in trouble. Her impression about 2nd interview was that he was more forthcoming about what he said happened in the home. #WestsTrial

On recross, Barton said, other than the interviews, she relied on info from law enforcement and the other social worker. #WestsTrial

Barton testified she was aware a dig had been completed at the Cal City home and no remains were found. Barton said yes. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked the prior question. She followed up by asking if she was aware the home had been searched and no forensic evidence had been found. "That's because the children weren't in the house," Barton said, drawing chuckles from some audience members. #WestsTrial

Barton has been excused and the trial will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. #WestsTrial

 

[cuffem]

What I usually do is quote my post and say something like:

CORRECTION TO POST ABOVE - "_____________" should read "______________."

But you can also alert a mod if it's too late to edit it. Up to you!

Thanks!
I actually do not need to change it because she stated she stopped going over to see them because of covid in March.

 

[cuffem]

Question for everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Because I have made mistakes in the transcribing and I am not sure how useful my posting live during trial is because people can look at tweets from KGET 17 live or read later, I do not want to clutter up the thread.
Not sure it is useful so should I not transcribe it and just post random comments during trial?

Pommy posting the tweets is the most accurate and most important info. KGET does not make any mistakes and gives better description.

I will not be offended.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 3, 2023

West trial: Paternal grandmother says she hadn't seen toddlers for 10 months prior to parents reporting them missing​

A paternal grandmother of Orrin and Orson West testified Wednesday she hadn’t seen the brothers for about 10 months prior to them being reported missing by their parents.

[...]

Hennessy elicited testimony Wednesday from Trezell West’s mother, Wanda West, that it wasn’t abnormal for her not to see Orrin and Orson throughout 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020 shuttered physical gatherings and often the boys were with their maternal grandmother, Wanda West testified over Zoom.

[...]

On Sept. 18, 2020, Wanda said, she drove to the Wests’ home and didn’t see Orrin and Orson once during her two-day stay. She recalled taking care of the the Wests’ four other children while Trezell and Jacqueline moved their belongings from Bakersfield to California City.

[...]

On Dec. 19, 2020, the Wests brought their four kids to Wanda’s house for Christmas break, she testified. She didn’t see Orrin and Orson, but the toddlers could have remained in the van when their other brothers were dropped off, Wanda testified.

[...]

Orrin and Orson weren’t yet potty trained. And they cried a lot, she said. Wanda added she couldn’t give her full attention to each child who cried and carefully watch all the Wests’ other four kids.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Question for everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Because I might make mistakes in the transcribing and I am not sure how useful my posting live during trial is because people can look at tweets from KGET 17 live or read later, I do not want to clutter up the thread.
Not sure it is useful so should I not transcribe it and just post random comments during trial?

Pommy posting the tweets is the most accurate and most important info. KGET does not make any mistakes and gives better description.

I will not be offended.

My vote is PLEASE don't stop posting while you're listening to it live! It IS valuable, cuffem, and you're not cluttering up anything! You may hear something that KGET doesn't tweet, and I really appreciate your comments on tone, the courtroom reaction, and such. MOO

 

[mickey2942]

These poor kids. I am interested in the defense.

 

[Knox]

Question for everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Because I have made mistakes in the transcribing and I am not sure how useful my posting live during trial is because people can look at tweets from KGET 17 live or read later, I do not want to clutter up the thread.
Not sure it is useful so should I not transcribe it and just post random comments during trial?

Pommy posting the tweets is the most accurate and most important info. KGET does not make any mistakes and gives better description.

I will not be offended.

I greatly appreciate your posts, prefer them over the tweets. Allows me to pop in when I have a minute at work and catch up.

 

[cuffem]

I greatly appreciate your posts, prefer them over the tweets. Allows me to pop in when I have a minute at work and catch up.

OK then I will continue.
I just was not sure if it was needed.

I will try to catch mistakes, like Stallings says you can make mistakes!

 

[cuffem]

I have to say I think TW's attorneys are helping him more than JW's by not asking much and not going on and on getting to nothing. They sometimes come to cross just to say Hi to the witness and that is all.
They are not rude in tone, they are polite.

All TW needs to do is keep his head down and the jury might forget him.
EDIT! This is sarcasm above.

 

[mickey2942]

I have to say I think TW's attorneys are helping him more than JW's by not asking much and not going on and on getting to nothing. They sometimes come to cross just to say Hi to the witness and that is all.
They are not rude in tone, they are polite.

All TW needs to do is keep his head down and the jury might forget him.

I don't see how the jury could find one guilty and not the other so far.

They must both be guilty. I am surprised that neither one has thrown the other under the van yet. We will see what happens during appeal.

 

[cuffem]

I don't see how the jury could find one guilty and not the other so far.

They must both be guilty. I am surprised that neither one has thrown the other under the van yet. We will see what happens during appeal.

mickey,

I am being sarcastic about TW keeping his head down. I am not implying he is innocent and will be found so.
I am trying to be funny.

 

[cuffem]

I would have loved to be in the courtroom for the end of the day exchange between Stallings and Barton. I would love to see Barton's face and manner Stallings to.
It seemed to be about to come to hair pulling between the two by the tone of it. That is why the audience laughed at the
last comment by Barton. It was spot on.

I think the judge stepped in for sidebar to cool it.IMO.

 

[cuffem]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 3
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Continued cross-examination of Sunya Barton, CPS)

Court is back in session with Sunya Barton still on the stand. She's testifying about "the corridor," where female teen victims are trafficking for prostitution. It goes from Kern County to Los Angeles to San Diego, Las Vegas. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if human trafficking goes to Texas. Yes, Barton said. #WestsTrial

Barton said her time frame in questioning the boys focused on August and September of 2020. #WestsTrial

Barton said she was not aware law enforcement had interviewed the children hours before her first interview. She did not view any videos taken of those interviews. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if it's standard for her to tell children she doesn't know what's happening with their family. Barton said yes, it's standard to let them know she doesn't know exactly what's happened in their family. #WestsTrial

Judge Charles R. Brehmer has called a sidebar after an objection from Smith. #WestsTrial

They're back, and Torres Stallings is referring to a transcript of the interview Barton conducted with one of the children. #WestsTrial

During the interview, Torres Stallings says, the Wests' eldest son talked with Barton about Orrin and Orson's biological family. She directed Barton to a passage of the transcript. #WestsTrial

Barton said it's correct the boy said he had seen the biological family before. Then she moved on to another topic. But Torres Stallings said the boy brought the biological family up again in his 3rd interview with Barton. #WestsTrial

Smith objected on the grounds of relevance based on the sidebar they just had. The judge is looking at the transcript. #WestsTrial

Judge Brehmer said he'll allow Barton to read the portion indicated by Torres Stallings, then see what the next question is. #WestsTrial

After multiple objections to Torres Stallings' questions, the judge has called another sidebar. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys have returned. #WestsTrial

Barton said she didn't change the subject regarding the passage Torres Stallings had her read. She said the child had finished his statement. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about the allegations one of the children made about spanking. Barton said she watched the video with the rest of the room. She said the child never said when the spanking occurred. #WestsTrial

Barton said children undergo a physical evaluation when they enter the Jamison Center. The Wests' children were placed in protective custody and taken to the Jamison Center, Barton said. She said she would assume an evaluation was conducted. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has testified 5 times in her career. Torres Stallings asked her to wait until she has finished asking a question before responding. Barton said okay. #WestsTrial

After the forensic interview, she had nothing else to do with the investigation, Barton said. She doesn't know if marks were found on the boys' bodies. #WestsTrial

That's not her part of the investigation, Barton said when Torres Stallings asked if she followed up to see if marks had been found on the boys. #WestsTrial

Barton testified there are certain protocols to follow when conducting a forensic interview. #WestsTrial

Barton said she is not licensed as a social worker through the state, and never has been. #WestsTrial

Barton said she doesn't know if state protocols differ from the protocols required under Child Protective Services. #WestsTrial

Interview tactics differ depending on the case. Barton said this was the first missing persons forensic interview she had conducted in her 11 years with the department. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has moved on to the second interview Barton conducted with the Wests' eldest biological son. #WestsTrial

This forensic interview came up because the child, placed with a resource family, had seen news feeds regarding his parents and had questions, Barton said. #WestsTrial

The resource parent informed a social worker, who Barton assumes told law enforcement and a follow-up interview was requested. #WestsTrial

Barton testified the resource parent was upset with what the boy had told her. #WestsTrial

The second interview occurred Dec. 28, 2020. Barton said she was probably aware of some other details that had come out about the case but can't recall specifics. #WestsTrial

Barton said she can't recall knowing the West vehicle had been forensically evaluated, but said she recalls someone saying there was no evidence. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has not reviewed text messages between herself and another social worker. She said she doesn't recall the other worker reminding her about the smell in the vehicle. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings showed Barton a document, and Barton said it does not refresh her memory. #WestsTrial

Barton testified after her first interviews with all four children she believed the eldest child was not being truthful. She had that belief when she conducted the 2nd interview with the eldest child. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning. On redirect, Barton said she felt like the eldest boy was not being truthful, didn't want to get parents in trouble. Her impression about 2nd interview was that he was more forthcoming about what he said happened in the home. #WestsTrial

On recross, Barton said, other than the interviews, she relied on info from law enforcement and the other social worker. #WestsTrial

Barton testified she was aware a dig had been completed at the Cal City home and no remains were found. Barton said yes. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked the prior question. She followed up by asking if she was aware the home had been searched and no forensic evidence had been found. "That's because the children weren't in the house," Barton said, drawing chuckles from some audience members. #WestsTrial

Barton has been excused and the trial will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. #WestsTrial

I thought I should point out at the end of court when Stallings asked Barton forcefully, " Was she aware there was nothing found in the dig of the yard? "
When Barton answers, " Because they were not there! " She said it loudly and forcefully back at Stallings.
That is why the audience laughed. It seemed like an argument.

 

[cuffem]

MAY 3, 2023

West trial: Paternal grandmother says she hadn't seen toddlers for 10 months prior to parents reporting them missing​

A paternal grandmother of Orrin and Orson West testified Wednesday she hadn’t seen the brothers for about 10 months prior to them being reported missing by their parents.

[...]

Hennessy elicited testimony Wednesday from Trezell West’s mother, Wanda West, that it wasn’t abnormal for her not to see Orrin and Orson throughout 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020 shuttered physical gatherings and often the boys were with their maternal grandmother, Wanda West testified over Zoom.

[...]

On Sept. 18, 2020, Wanda said, she drove to the Wests’ home and didn’t see Orrin and Orson once during her two-day stay. She recalled taking care of the the Wests’ four other children while Trezell and Jacqueline moved their belongings from Bakersfield to California City.

[...]

On Dec. 19, 2020, the Wests brought their four kids to Wanda’s house for Christmas break, she testified. She didn’t see Orrin and Orson, but the toddlers could have remained in the van when their other brothers were dropped off, Wanda testified.

[...]

Orrin and Orson weren’t yet potty trained. And they cried a lot, she said. Wanda added she couldn’t give her full attention to each child who cried and carefully watch all the Wests’ other four kids.

[...]

In hearing Wanda's voice and the way she spoke that she was really trying to explain what she knew and what she did not know and explain in all sincerity how she did not notice a problem with Orrin and Orson gone.
She was not hiding anything, she really was duped.

 

[k-mac]

How sad.

The one 100% common denominator from every single witness who knew the 2 little boys personally is that...'they cried alot."

Toddlers emotional needs are actually very simplistic.

Nourishment, warmth and emotional security/ belonging. ( you know something like a smile and a cuddle)

Really hard stuff JW.

 

[cuffem]

How sad.

The one 100% common denominator from every single witness who knew the 2 little boys personally is that...'they cried alot."

Toddlers emotional needs are actually very simplistic.

Nourishment, warmth and emotional security/ belonging. ( you know something like a smile and a cuddle)

Really hard stuff JW.

So true!
I was thinking last night about the boys not getting ice cream or treats when the others did. I do not know why this bothered me more than anything. They have no understanding why they are not getting treats and the others are.
These punishments would only make them cry more.

I felt all the boys were only frustrated with the crying because of the parents, they mentioned it in the interviews, they may have only thought this after hearing and watching their parents complain and punish Orrin and Orson. IMO.