Mother: Girls Accused Of Kidnapping Toddler Charged In Case

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- The family of two pre-teen siblings who allegedly kidnapped a neighbor's young son have moved out of their home, the boy's mother said. On Friday, Sheila Wells said she was

Saturday, July 14th 2007, 2:27 pm

By: News On 6

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- The family of two pre-teen siblings who allegedly kidnapped a neighbor's young son have moved out of their home, the boy's mother said. On Friday, Sheila Wells said she was told the girls, ages 10 and 12, and their family no longer live a few blocks away from the Wells' residence. Wells also told â€œThe Oklahomanâ€ that charges have been filed against the girls, but Garfield County prosecutors said certain aspects of the case are confidential because they are younger than 14.

"I feel a little safer knowing charges have been filed and their parents have moved out," Wells said.

When juveniles are charged with crimes that would be felonies, if committed by adults, information on the case is not public until the case has been resolved, Assistant District Attorney Mike Fields said.

"State law is clear that we cannot comment on juvenile proceedings and felony matters," Fields said.

Wells' son, Brandon, was taken from the home in the early hours of July 5 as she slept and her husband was at work, police said. Investigators alleged that besides taking Brandon, the girls took a stroller, clothing and diapers.

The girls were arrested after Wells was awakened about 6 a.m. by a knock on her front door from the 12-year-old girl. Wells said the girl told her Brandon was at their home.

The girls' mother had noticed the boy and recognized him as Wells' child. Brandon was sitting on the 10-year-old's lap.

After returning home, she called police and found a ransom note on her sofa that stated her son would be returned if she handed over $200,000. Brandon wasn't hurt.

The 10-year-old had played with the other children at the home and Brandon was familiar with her, Wells said. The sisters were booked on complaints of felony kidnapping and first-degree burglary. An extortion complaint also was filed, but the Garfield County district attorney's office would not confirm whether charges had been filed in the case.

Wells said since the abduction, the locks have been replaced on their rental house and the phone hasn't stopped ringing.

"I've had people calling me from all over," said Wells, 29. "This woman from England has been calling me, wanting to do a story."

Wells and her husband, Daniel, 23, are expecting twins later this summer.

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7/6/2007 Mother Asks Why Preteen Girls Would Kidnap Her 1-Year-Old Son