VESTAL, N.Y. – The Latest on an investigation into the abduction of teenage sisters in upstate New York who were initially reported as runaways last year (all times local):
10:45 p.m.
Police say they've arrested the mother of two teenage sisters who were reported as runaways last year in upstate New York. Police say the girls were actually abducted by a family acquaintance.
New York State Police say the mother, 36-year-old Cindy Fortner, was arrested on a kidnapping charge Friday. They haven't detailed the allegations against her.
Her daughters, 15-year-old Ky-Lea Fortner and 13-year-old Shaeleen Fitch-Fortner, were found Wednesday night in Vestal.
Authorities say the sisters had been living with a foster family in Binghamton in April 2015 when they were reported as runaways. Investigators allege 29-year-old Amanda Hellman abducted them on their way to school and held them against their will. She's pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges. It wasn't immediately clear if she had an attorney who could comment.
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12:30 p.m.
Authorities say a pair of teenage sisters who were reported as runaways last year in upstate New York were actually abducted by a family acquaintance.
Police say a telephone tip led them to 15-year-old Ky-Lea Fortner and 13-year-old Shaeleen Fitch-Fortner on Wednesday night in Vestal, near Binghamton.
State police say the sisters were living with a foster family in Binghamton in April 2015 when they were reported as runaways. But authorities now say the acquaintance, 29-year-old Amanda Hellman, abducted them on their way to school and held them against their will.
Hellman is jailed without bail on kidnapping charges. Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment Thursday.
Investigators wouldn't say how the girls were treated in captivity or what prevented them from leaving.
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