This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/17/kidnapped-amish-girls-sexually-abused-district-attorney

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kidnapped Amish girls were sexually abused, says district attorney Kidnapped Amish girls were sexually abused, says district attorney
(about 7 hours later)
Two young Amish sisters were sexually abused after their abduction from a roadside farm stand in northern New York, a prosecutor said on Saturday.Two young Amish sisters were sexually abused after their abduction from a roadside farm stand in northern New York, a prosecutor said on Saturday.
The disclosure by the St Lawrence County district attorney, Mary Rain, came hours after the county’s sheriff said the couple charged in the kidnapping were prowling for easy targets and may have planned to abduct other children.The disclosure by the St Lawrence County district attorney, Mary Rain, came hours after the county’s sheriff said the couple charged in the kidnapping were prowling for easy targets and may have planned to abduct other children.
Rain added that additional charges are planned against the two suspects. She said that computer hard drives and other evidence were still being collected from the home of Stephen Howells Jr. and Nicole Vaisey. Rain says she “100%” expects more charges, which could come on Monday or at a court hearing on Thursday.
Stephen Howells Jr and Nicole Vaisey, both of Hermon, were arrested and arraigned on Friday on charges that they abducted the seven-year-old and 12-year-old sisters with the intent to physically or sexually abuse them.Stephen Howells Jr and Nicole Vaisey, both of Hermon, were arrested and arraigned on Friday on charges that they abducted the seven-year-old and 12-year-old sisters with the intent to physically or sexually abuse them.
“We felt that there was the definite potential that there was going to be other victims,” the St Lawrence County sheriff, Kevin Wells, said.“We felt that there was the definite potential that there was going to be other victims,” the St Lawrence County sheriff, Kevin Wells, said.
The sisters were abducted on Wednesday from the farm stand in front of the family’s home in Oswegatchie, near the Canadian border. They were set free by their captors about 24 hours later and turned up safe at the door of a house 15 miles from where they were taken.The sisters were abducted on Wednesday from the farm stand in front of the family’s home in Oswegatchie, near the Canadian border. They were set free by their captors about 24 hours later and turned up safe at the door of a house 15 miles from where they were taken.
The sheriff said Howells, 39, and Vaisey, 25, “were targeting opportunities” and did not necessarily grab the girls because they were Amish.The sheriff said Howells, 39, and Vaisey, 25, “were targeting opportunities” and did not necessarily grab the girls because they were Amish.
“There was a lot of thought process that went into this,” Wells said. “They were looking for opportunities to victimise.”“There was a lot of thought process that went into this,” Wells said. “They were looking for opportunities to victimise.”
The suspects are being held without bail. A preliminary court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.The suspects are being held without bail. A preliminary court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Vaisey’s lawyer, Bradford Riendeau, told the New York Times that Howells had abused Vaisey and treated her submissively. He said she made a “voluntary statement” to investigators after her arrest and was obtaining an order of protection against him.Vaisey’s lawyer, Bradford Riendeau, told the New York Times that Howells had abused Vaisey and treated her submissively. He said she made a “voluntary statement” to investigators after her arrest and was obtaining an order of protection against him.
“She appears to have been the slave and he was the master,” Riendeau told the newspaper.“She appears to have been the slave and he was the master,” Riendeau told the newspaper.
There was no answer on Saturday at the St Lawrence County conflict defender’s office, which is representing Howells.There was no answer on Saturday at the St Lawrence County conflict defender’s office, which is representing Howells.
Wells said the girls were able to provide details to investigators about their time in captivity.Wells said the girls were able to provide details to investigators about their time in captivity.
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who may be victims of sexual abuse.The Associated Press generally does not identify people who may be victims of sexual abuse.
The kidnappings touched off a massive search in the family’s remote farming community. Searchers scoured the community of about 4,000 people, but were hampered by a lack of photos of the girls.The kidnappings touched off a massive search in the family’s remote farming community. Searchers scoured the community of about 4,000 people, but were hampered by a lack of photos of the girls.
The Amish typically avoid modern technology, and the family had to work with an artist who spoke their language, a German dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch, to produce a sketch of the older girl.The Amish typically avoid modern technology, and the family had to work with an artist who spoke their language, a German dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch, to produce a sketch of the older girl.