BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — As the search for toddlers Orrin and Orson West continues, community members gathered Tuesday night to practice the power of prayer.
After more than 40 days, the family of the 3- and 4-year-old is more determined than ever to find them.
Tuesday they gathered with the community in Southeast Bakersfield for a candlelight prayer because they say hope is what is getting them through all of this.
The biological family of Orson and Orrin West stressed that the gathering was a chance for hope and prayer, but not considered a vigil.
"We don't want to think the negative, so that's why we called it a candlelight prayer," one family member said. "A vigil, you know what that means. So we're just praying that the boys are still alive and that they'll be found soon."
Rosanna Wills said she is the biological cousin of the boys. She added the location chosen for the vigil has greater meaning to the family.
"This was the last location that they lived at before they moved to Cal City," Wills said. "So we figured if we have a candlelight here, maybe somebody may know something and just keep it alive."
The family said they can't do the searching alone, so they're asking the community to stand together.
Wills says she couldn't be more thankful for the outpouring of love and support from the community. She also said this has been a numbing experience for the family.
"Basically we just be around each other and just stare at each other because we don't know what to say, besides let's search," she said.
Until the boys are found, they will continue to gather and push through.
"We're going to fight until there's no fight left," Wills said.
The family is asking the public to use every means they have to help with the search, including online platforms and social media to share the stories of Orrin and Orson. They say any information big or small is vital to the search.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Cal City PD at (760) 373-8606.
