Still Missing CA - Orson & Orrin West (3&4), California City, 21 Dec 2020

[Lilibet]

Let's review several facts here:

- Couple moved to California City into a new home in September
- Neighbors have never seen the two missing kids in question, ever
- Kids "missing" right before the holiday, when they may have been expected to be seen by other family
- Parents story tries hard to imply kids are wild (rambunctious comments) while the parents are caring (wrapping presents)

California City seems like the "perfect" place to stage the disappearance/runaway of "rambunctious" children (surrounded by desert and remote). Was this the intent of the move?

So my question is: What was the couple's purpose of moving to California City? Was there a reason for them to move there in particular in September? I think this will answer a lot of questions.

On the economics side of the house, California State Adoption Assistance Program discloses that the state pays $1,000 per month per kid which could explain adoption motivations. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just wanted to share this.

Welcome to WS @DidYouThinkOfThat! You make excellent points and ask important questions.

 

[whitelilac]

Let's review several facts here:

- Couple moved to California City into a new home in September
- Neighbors have never seen the two missing kids in question, ever
- Kids "missing" right before the holiday, when they may have been expected to be seen by other family
- Parents story tries hard to imply kids are wild (rambunctious comments) while the parents are caring (wrapping presents)

California City seems like the "perfect" place to stage the disappearance/runaway of "rambunctious" children (surrounded by desert and remote). Was this the intent of the move?

So my question is: What was the couple's purpose of moving to California City? Was there a reason for them to move there in particular in September? I think this will answer a lot of questions.

On the economics side of the house, California State Adoption Assistance Program discloses that the state pays $1,000 per month per kid which could explain adoption motivations. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just wanted to share this.

Welcome!
Yes, I have asked myself some of the same questions.
I have also wondered about their livelihood, their source of income, whether one or both are employed.. and yes, your last point.

 

[kyrarose]

Hacienda Elementary

With remote schooling in the mix, the older kids could be at the grandparents and attending school from there.

 

[Nancy19XX]

With remote schooling in the mix, the older kids could be at the grandparents and attending school from there.

I'm not sure if it's the same in CA, but most schools are on winter/holiday break until after the beginning of the year. It's unlikely they had school to attend. MOO

 

[susiQ]

Hoping they'll be found safe somewhere.
Their age makes this seem like it won't have a happy ending, though.
LE have not said they were possibly kidnapped or left of their own accord (i.e., ran away).
So what's left ?
MOO

I’m still trying to catch up here but I’m not feeling hopeful. Too much time has passed. Here are my thoughts:

I don’t find it odd that only the older children were off at grandma’s. Six kids is a lot depending on how old she is. The little ones can be a handful. What I find odd is that the two little guys went missing while the older ones happen to be at grandma’s.

Another thing, why send the little guys out so you can wrap gifts? Plenty of time for that once they’re off to bed. At that age I’m guessing 7:30 p.m.? It would seem a more appropriate time to be preparing dinner than desperately needing to wrap gifts.

The story doesn’t sit well with me. I hope it isn’t the parents, but experience tells us it often is . JMO

 

[kyrarose]

I'm not sure if it's the same in CA, but most schools are on winter/holiday break until after the beginning of the year. It's unlikely they had school to attend. MOO

Sorry, I was referring to if they hadn’t been seen for a longer period of time.

 

[dillysmom11]

I’ve been following this case from the beginning, and only logged in because I need to ask... are the parents of these children POI’s? If not, why is this the only focus?

 

[Dawookie]

I’ve been following this case from the beginning, and only logged in because I need to ask... are the parents of these children POI’s? If not, why is this the only focus?

They haven't said anything really yet. I think they're trying to nail down the case before making any statements

 

[MsBetsy]

I’ve been following this case from the beginning, and only logged in because I need to ask... are the parents of these children POI’s? If not, why is this the only focus?

LE has said no-one has been ruled out so I would assume anyone close to the boys would be POI's.

They must have found solid evidence that points to the home since they were able to obtain warrants for the house and the vehicle so quickly. They removed several brown bags and a large duffel bag from the house, while the father stated they only took their phones.

They also quickly carried out a second search and collected more evidence which indicates they found something incriminating after the first search of the home and property.

LE said the boys scent never left the home and they have not been able to make out how the boys left the house, even though the father implied they left through an open gate after playing in the yard.

Neighbors claim to have never seen the children since the family moved there in September.

Police say that although they are cooperating, they do not know where the parents are, but someone knows, and they hope they will come forward.

The remaining four children have been placed in protective custody.

LE are not searching the neighborhood or the desert but instead are concentrating on the home.

We don't know the specific reasons why the parents are the main focus but I expect we will know more as the investigation continues. It seems to be moving pretty fast.

Imo

 

[Lusitana]

To me, it looks like LE never believed that these boys left.

 

[Marg from Oz]

What? Neighbors say they have not seen any of the six children in six months!
Weird. MOO

 

[Rosegold68]

LE don't know where the parents are? how so?

 

[MsBetsy]

What? Neighbors say they have not seen any of the six children in six months!
Weird. MOO

LE said neighbors haven't seen either of the two boys since September, which is reportedly when they moved there.

The other children were on "vacation" at the time of the boy's disappearance, according to the parents. I think I read they were staying with grandparents? Imo

 

[MsBetsy]

LE don't know where the parents are? how so?

I guess they don't know where they are staying. They apparently are not in the house at this time. They did say they have been communicating with them and they are cooperating.

Maybe they are living at the grandparent's house. They may not be allowed in the home until it has been released. Imo

 

[MsBetsy]

To me, it looks like LE never believed that these boys left.

What is also concerning is that the chief said there isn't necessarily evidence that the boys even lived in the house. I wonder if that means they didn't find many clothes or toys belonging to them.

 

[Marg from Oz]

Maybe those dogs didn't hit on anything if those two kids haven't been in the house. Where did they move from? Perhaps they should start looking there. MOO

 

[Edinlass]

Maybe those dogs didn't hit on anything if those two kids haven't been in the house. Where did they move from? Perhaps they should start looking there. MOO

They moved from a property in Bakersfield. No formal confirmation that they are searching this property although my guess would be they are...

 

[Warwick7]

What is also concerning is that the chief said there isn't necessarily evidence that the boys even lived in the house. I wonder if that means they didn't find many clothes or toys belonging to them.

This just makes my stomach hurt....

 

[ZZ Topps]

They moved from a property in Bakersfield. No formal confirmation that they are searching this property although my guess would be they are...

It's interesting that when the Chief was asked at the presser if LE was present at their former residence in Bakersfield, he answered "no comment". Most everything else he was ok answering which leads me to beleive that location has alot to do with this investigation.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

I so don't want it to be the parents...