Family of missing brothers, three and four, say they have become targets

The family of two missing brothers say they have received death threats after the boys disappeared two months ago while playing outside their California home. 

Orson West, three, and his four-year-old brother Orrin were reported missing from California City just days before Christmas.  

Parents-of-six Trezol and Jaqueline West, who fostered the boys in 2018 and adopted them the year after, said the back gate had been left open when they vanished. 

Now the toddlers’ adoptive uncle Jamal Watkins has told ABC: ‘We offered a reward out of our own pockets.

‘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.’ 

He said in a statement: ‘What has continued is the alarming number of threats of physical violence (including death threats), intentional harassment and misinformation being perpetuated by groups…and other individuals.

‘As a family we have had to be even more cautious to not engage directly with individuals who have trespassed on various family members’ properties, hurled insults, reported false information deliberately, damage property and created a hate-filled hostile environment.’ 

Their adoptive grandmother, Wanda West, added: ‘I just know they were really good parents as far as I’m concerned. 

‘Right now there are people outside the home, talking about where are the boys.

‘It’s like people don’t realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are.’ 

Police have said they suspect foul play in the boys’ disappearance. California City Police Chief Jon Walker said: ‘We have not ruled anyone out.’ 

Three-year-old Orson (right) and Orrin (left) West, four, were reported missing after playing outside their home in the 10700 block of Aspen Avenue, California City in December

Three-year-old Orson (right) and Orrin (left) West, four, were reported missing after playing outside their home in the 10700 block of Aspen Avenue, California City in December 

The toddlers' uncle Jamal Watkins has told ABC : 'We offered a reward out of our own pockets. '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'

The toddlers’ uncle Jamal Watkins has told ABC : ‘We offered a reward out of our own pockets. ‘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’

Parents-of-six Trezol and Jaqueline West, who fostered the boys in 2018 and adopted them the year after, said the back gate had been left open when they vanished

Parents-of-six Trezol and Jaqueline West, who fostered the boys in 2018 and adopted them the year after, said the back gate had been left open when they vanished

He said last week: ‘We’ve searched several different places of possible grave sites.

‘We did a thorough search of the surrounding areas and [the toddlers were] not there, so that tells me that they didn’t just keep walking. Someone picked them up.’     

Neighbor’s security footage from December 19 shows a couple, thought to be Trezol and Jaqueline, taking four children from the house. When they return, they are alone. 

Police say the couple claim they left their four other children at a relative’s home. Chief Walker say December 19 is the last day Orrin and Orson were seen by their siblings, Bakersfield Now reports.  

Neighbor's security footage from December 19 shows a couple, thought to be Trezol and Jaqueline, taking four children from the house. When they return, they are alone

Neighbor’s security footage from December 19 shows a couple, thought to be Trezol and Jaqueline, taking four children from the house. When they return, they are alone

Orson, pictured, and Orrin West were reported missing on December 21 in California City

Orson and Orrin West, pictured, were reported missing on December 21 in California City

Orson, left, and Orrin West were reported missing on December 21 in California City

Jaqueline West reportedly told the boys to go and play outside with their father after she was busy wrapping presents. 

The boys were reported missing at around 8pm on December 21.

Their father revealed how he was gathering wood to start a fire because of the cold weather.

‘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,’ he told 23ABC News. 

Trezol and Jaqueline West speak the press in the wake of their sons' disappearance

Trezol and Jaqueline West speak the press in the wake of their sons’ disappearance 

Adoptive grandmother, Wanda West, right, said: 'I just know they were really good parents as far as I'm concerned. 'Right now there are people outside the home, talking about where are the boys. 'It's like people don't realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are'

Adoptive grandmother, Wanda West, right, said: ‘I just know they were really good parents as far as I’m concerned. ‘Right now there are people outside the home, talking about where are the boys. ‘It’s like people don’t realize we are grieving we are hurting just like they are’

He added: ‘I saw them there, [I] went in the house, I came back out, I didn’t seem them. I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house. [We] 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.’ 

He explained that he saw they were not on the patio and realized he had left the back gate open. 

The father said he ‘panicked and came inside the house’ before he called the police.

California City Police along with the FBI, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating their disappearance. 

The children's biological mom, Ryan Dean, pictured, said: 'I don't have not one evil bone in my body, and for this to happen to me, it's a lot for me.'

Dean, pictured,  had said of the boys' adoptive parents: 'They did something. I feel like they did something and they know something'

The children’s biological mom, Ryan Dean, pictured, said: ‘I don’t have not one evil bone in my body, and for this to happen to me, it’s a lot for me.’ She had said of the boys’ adoptive parents: ‘They did something. I feel like they did something and they know something’

The children’s biological mom, Ryan Dean, said: ‘I don’t have not one evil bone in my body, and for this to happen to me, it’s a lot for me.’ 

She had said of the boys’ adoptive parents: ‘They did something. I feel like they did something and they know something.’

But Trezell West said: ‘I would think the same thing…all I want is to find our babies.’ 

source: dailymail.co.uk