CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. — With guns drawn, authorities entered the home of the two California City boys who were reported missing on Dec. 21.
It's at least the second time the California City Police Department, along with multiple other agencies, executed a search warrant at the residence since the investigation began.
According to CCPD Police Chief Jon Walker, the boys' adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West, have interviewed with police on multiple occasions, but no suspect or suspects have been named in the investigation so far. In the meantime, the Wests' other four children are being held in protective custody, which Walker confirmed during his first on-camera briefing of the case Tuesday.
The Wests told police the boys disappeared from their home while playing in the backyard and believe they were kidnapped. But, the investigation has not led authorities to that conclusion at this point.
"We have no way of knowing how they got out of the yard, Walker said. There's "nothing that shows how they got out of the yard or if they wondered out of the yard."
Authorities extensively dug up terrain in the backyard in recent days to make sure the boys weren't underneath, according to Walker. "We are just trying to dig up anything, any clues that we could possibly find, to find out where they have gone and also to confirm they are not in the backyard."
Walker confirmed that K-9 units were also deployed into the home multiple times and that the boys' scent did not leave the house. The Wests told 23ABC News on Dec. 23, that their other children were on "vacation" when Orrin and Orson went missing.
Authorities knocked on nearly every door in their neighborhood, and "none of the neighbors have seen the kids." Walker said.
"Ever?" a reported asked.
"No," Walker replied. The family moved into the neighborhood in September, Walker confirmed.
Within a day after the children were reported missing, the adoptive parents' cell phones and other technological devices have been in police custody, along with at least one of their vehicles. Walker was unable to comment on whether the parents took a lie detector test or whether they denied one.
The investigation has not led authorities to begin searching through hundreds of miles of desert that surrounds California City, according to Walker, but he adds that the community's search efforts have been tremendous.
"We absolutely appreciate everything from the community ... this whole community is invested in this thing."
CCPD is asking anyone with information to call their department at 760-373-8606.
