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

[Kiranerys]

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

No one ever does but sadly,as we all know only too well, it usually is

 

[Lusitana]

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.

If they didn’t move into that house in California City, my guess is that there are not enough beds for all of them. And probably no presents for these two poor souls. None of their clothes in the laundry etc.

 

[MsBetsy]

If they didn’t move into that house in California City, my guess is that there are not enough beds for all of them. And probably no presents for these two poor souls. None of their clothes in the laundry etc.

I'm wondering what information the older children have provided to investigators.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“It’s unfortunate when any child is injured or hurt in our community or any other community, but we’re not able to predict the future of what anyone is going to do,” Jana Slagle Spokesperson, Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) said. “So, that’s why we try to use the tools at hand to try to determine the best outcomes for kids. I pray the best for those children.”

As of 2017, the State of California requires foster parents, aspiring adoptive parents and relatives to all go under “resource family approval.” For foster parents, it can take up to six months to get approval.

With the DHS, they have to go through 12 hours of training, background checks, a home inspection, finger-printing, medical inspection by their physician, then a quote, “very detailed” psycho-social assessment with a social worker.

“We asked them questions about how they were raised, any trauma in their past, and we try to get a handle on how they are and why they want to adopt,” Slagle said.

When asked if biological parents can obtain custody post-adoption, Slagle said the cases are rare, but still possible. It’s carefully decided by the courts and the biological parent has to prove they’ve changed since their custody was denied.
A deeper look at the local adoption process after the California City boys' disappearance

 

[Mind your biscuits]

I hope it turns out better than this case did. I gave myself a headache trying to figure out how many kids were dead and buried and how many were chained up in the basement. These people adopted the kids for the monthly income they provided from the state of TN. They kept on getting it for years after they had starved and buried the poor children in the back yard of their home, in not one, but two different locations. Horrid, evil people. Moo.
TN - Michael & Shirley Gray, aggravated kidnap & child abuse, 2 children dead, Roane Co., May 2020

 

[Edinlass]

I'm wondering what information the older children have provided to investigators.

Hopefully they’re not interrogated too much. Such a sin, always the victims who suffer.

 

[Lusitana]

Hopefully they’re not interrogated too much. Such a sin, always the victims who suffer.

I agree. I recently saw the Netflix show about Gabriel Fernandez and I couldn’t stomach his sister being interviewed by LE. Not because of LE, but watching her blame herself and feeling remorseful for not being “nice” to her brother and not always playing with him because the mother would get mad, broke my heart.

 

[Edinlass]

I agree. I recently saw the Netflix show about Gabriel Fernandez and I couldn’t stomach his sister being interviewed by LE. Not because of LE, but watching her blame herself and feeling remorseful for not being “nice” to her brother and not always playing with him because the mother would get mad, broke my heart.

Yeah I couldn’t watch that. Broke my heart.

 

[MsBetsy]

Hopefully they’re not interrogated too much. Such a sin, always the victims who suffer.

Yes, if LE interviewed them hopefully they were questioned by someone experienced with children.

A social worker from CPS might have spoken to them, too. They usually ask general questions about their home environment. It might be uncomfortable for the kids but it can also provide information to help investigators find out what happened to Orson and Orrin. Imo

 

[Megnut]

I want to know more about the timing of it. Perhaps he had a broken leg at the time he went missing, it's just that he didn't go missing recently.

I predict that the older children have been "on vacation" for three months.... perhaps never moving when the parents did, yet still a houseful of their stuff in the new house. I wonder if we're about to find out that the boys haven't been accounted for since that same move. Older children could well not be aware that the younger two were in any kind of peril (missing or otherwise) all this time.

Really curious to know what's in those wrapped gifts. Is there anything age appropriate for pre-schoolers?

I wish there were a possibility the young ones were re-homed, but sadly, I fear the worst.

Timeline's off.
Last known location might be off.

I want to be wrong.

JMO

 

[susiQ]

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

Perhaps LE suspect the boys never arrived at that home and the only thing that places them there at all are their belongings? When asked if a search is being conducted in Bakersfield the Police Chief did not confirm or deny. I think a search of the previous home with cadaver dogs might be beneficial. MOO
Ed:sp

 

[floridamomma]

One thing I picked up on in the adoptive parents news interview, as the husband speaks about the timeline of events, the wife continually nods her head as she rocks back and forth. Thinking about this, why would someone be nodding their head with authority after things being said by someone else....

RSBM
Yes! That bothered me. My thought upon seeing that...well, I homeschool and it was pointed out to me that as my son spells words correctly I nod my head yes. If he trips up, I stop nodding. I didn't realize I did it until he pointed it out! Just my opinion \experience.I don't study body language but that did jump out at me, too.

Also...we have 10+ acres. Closest neighbors are totally aware of when we go out of town, I'm sure they enjoy the peace! No possible way a day goes by that they're not outside making noise. Even when they're quiet.

I'm not liking this.

Also, them totally agreeing that foul play is suspected? WHAT? Fortunately I've never been accused of such a thing but I'm pretty sure I would be offended. Yes, I d understand LE needing to rule me out but do it quick and find my babies!

 

[floridamomma]

I wonder if the police really don’t know where the adoptive parents are or if they’re just not revealing that they know where they are. I really really hope that the cheif is bluffing.

Remember what Letitia Stauch did while they were busy executing search warrants it in Gannon‘s bedroom? Yep, she was renting cars and moving the body multiple times.

Yes! He's bluffing, but hopefully the AP's believe it.

 

[modesty blaise]

Its just odd to me that two are missing at the same time. Rehoming popped into my mind but is that illegal enough for them to keep quiet this long about it??

 

[floridamomma]

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?

Personally, I was very open minded initially. The video interview threw up too many red flags for me.
*munches grass* moo!

 

[rosesfromangels]

I watched the interview with the Police Chief; I sure liked him. Seems like a down to earth guy that will get the job done. He's a big plus for this case.

While the immediate focus is locating these two children, it will be interesting for authorities to retrace the entire foster/adoption process with these two. I have no idea if there are irregularities, but it would be a good forensic study.
If any, what red flags were missed? How did these two adults support six children? Were state funded stipends the only means of income? What were the dynamics with the bio family; if they knew the adoptive parents before hand, do we see any irregular bank transactions?

NOT accusing anyone of anything, just pondering pondering pondering on motivation for these children to disappear if not by their own wandering or capture by strangers.

LE, including agency support, do not go digging up backyards or enter homes with guns drawn without due cause; warrants are thoughtfully issued.
My blood turns cold thinking about the possibilities here. Were these children a "business" of some sort? That in itself is a frightening thought.

I have faith in this Police Chief and all the supporting agencies. I have no doubt they will get to answers soon.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Knox]

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

I'm beginning to wonder if the dogs only hit on a bedroom where some clothes or belongings of the boys were. No where else in the house or the backyard?
That would make sense of some of the actions we are seeing from LE, and what Chief Walker said yesterday in his pressor.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“I open up the back gate, I’m throwing wood, bringing it inside the house. My wife’s inside, she was actually wrapping gifts so we thought it was a good idea that our youngest two go outside and play with chalk on the back patio,” West said.

“I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house, searched the house, me and my wife. 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.”

The West couple adopted the boys in 2019. They have four other children, including two biological and two adopted children. Walker said the couple’s other children are now in the care of CPS.
Police chief says foul play likely involved after two missing boys disappear from backyard at same time

 

[Knox]

I hope it turns out better than this case did. I gave myself a headache trying to figure out how many kids were dead and buried and how many were chained up in the basement. These people adopted the kids for the monthly income they provided from the state of TN. They kept on getting it for years after they had starved and buried the poor children in the back yard of their home, in not one, but two different locations. Horrid, evil people. Moo.
TN - Michael & Shirley Gray, aggravated kidnap & child abuse, 2 children dead, Roane Co., May 2020

Thanks but I will not be reading that thread, your description is horrific

The most heart breaking aspect in this case. Two beautiful boys removed from one home where basic care wasn't happening, placed in another where they should have been loved and well cared for. What must they have thought and felt?

 

[Knox]

Its just odd to me that two are missing at the same time. Rehoming popped into my mind but is that illegal enough for them to keep quiet this long about it??

I considered that as well, but with all the forensic activity going on it's looking less likely.