By Muska Olumi
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The adoptive parents of two missing toddlers have been charged with their murders, according to authorities.
Trezell West and Jacqueline West have been charged with the second-degree murders of Orrin and Orson West according to Kern County Superior Court.
An inmate search shows law enforcement arrested the couple Tuesday evening.
Trezell West and Jacqueline West reported the boys missing from their backyard in California City on Dec. 21, 2020.
>>>READ MORE: The Unsolved Casefile: Where are Orson and Orrin West?
The father allegedly left the backyard gate open and left them alone for a brief amount of time. When he returned the boys were gone.
Since then, multiple searches have taken place both in California City and Bakersfield with many people joining in to help.
This is the newest development after a year of their disappearance. Trezell West is being charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of willful cruelty to a child, and a false report of emergency.
This story was originally published March 1, by KERO in Bakersfield, an E.W. Scripps Company.