ID MICHAEL VAUGHAN: Missing from Fruitland, ID - 27 July 2021 - Age 5

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www.ktvb.com

Search continues for missing and endangered 5-year-old in Fruitland, Idaho

Michael Vaughan was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Ave. in Fruitland on Tuesday evening. Crews and neighbors were out all day looking for the boy.
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Search continues for missing and endangered 5-year-old in Fruitland, Idaho​

Michael Vaughn was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Ave. in Fruitland on Tuesday evening. Crews and neighbors were out all day looking for the boy.

The search for a missing 5-year-old-year-old boy intensified Wednesday as it entered its second day.

Michael Vaughn was last seen near SW 9th Street and S. Arizona Avenue in Fruitland around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Fruitland Police Department said Michael is considered missing and endangered.

Michael is about three feet, seven-inches tall and weighs 50 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He answers to the nickname "Monkey."

Michael was wearing a light blue shirt with a Minecraft picture on it, dark blue boxer briefs and sandals.

Idaho Mountain Rescue brought in highly-trained and rescue personnel to assist in the search.

Crews from multiple agencies searched the area near Michael's home by ground and air by drone and helicopter. They also went door to door, talking with neighbors.

Right next to the boy's home is a field where crews spent much of the day searching for him.

Neighbors say they learned about his disappearance about an hour after he was reported missing. They say Michael is a happy kid who lives with his parents and grandfather.

Cynthia Walker was walking her dog as the search was happening.

"At five years old, I don't know that he would wander too far without one us seeing him by now," she said. "There are volunteers, many, many volunteers out searching, scanning the fields and we just want to have Michael back, we just want him home safe."

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MEDIA - MICHAEL VAUGHN: Missing from Fruitland, ID since 27 July 2021 - Age 5
 

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'He's out there': Where is Michael Vaughan?

"It's not fair," Neal said. "You've watched us for the past 545 days and you haven't said a damn word. We have to wait, and wait, and wait."
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Author: Alexandra Duggan, Morgan Romero
Published: 5:22 PM MST February 2, 2023
Updated: 10:32 PM MST February 2, 2023

FRUITLAND, Idaho — Brandi Neal, the mother of missing Fruitand boy Michael Vaughan, sat in her living room on a cold January day wiping tears from her face. Neal moves to make another attempt, like she has done so many times before, pleading for the return of her 6-year-old blonde, blue-eyed son she calls "Monkey."

"Please keep sharing his beautiful smile, beautiful face. He’s out there somewhere and we need him home. Don’t forget about him," Neal said.

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Lengthy article at link. ~Summer
 
www.kmvt.com

Wondra hearing delayed as the court awaits competency evaluation

Sarah Wondra, the woman accused of failing to notify police of Michael Vaughan’s death did not appear in court on Monday as scheduled.
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By KMVT News Staff
Published: Feb. 6, 2023 at 6:17 PM EST|
Updated: 13 hours ago

FRUITLAND, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Sarah Wondra, the woman accused of failing to notify police of Michael Vaughan’s death did not appear in court on Monday as scheduled.

Wondra is currently being evaluated by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for competency to stand trial.

By law, the court must check in with defendants every 90 days to avoid people being lost in the system while awaiting trial.

IDHW reports that Wondra’s evaluation is ongoing. Her next hearing is scheduled for March 20th.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, but with Wondra still under evaluation that hearing has been postponed until IDHW can complete its evaluation.
 
www.argusobserver.com

Sarah Wondra hearings continued to April

PAYETTE COUNTY — Hearings regarding the sole person in custody in the case of a missing Fruitland boy were moved to April 17-18 during a status conference Monday in the
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  • Argus Observer
  • Mar 20, 2023 Updated 23 min ago
PAYETTE COUNTY — Hearings regarding the sole person in custody in the case of a missing Fruitland boy were moved to April 17-18 during a status conference Monday in the Payette County Magistrate Court. Judge Brian Lee approve a four-week delay of a plea hearing in the case of Sarah Wondra.

A motion to delay the case was submitted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, as Wondra remains in custody at a state hospital in Blackfoot. She is being charged with failure to report the death of Michael “Monkey” Vaughan, who was last seen near his neighborhood on July 27, 2021 at the age of 5.

Lee expressed concern about the logistics involved in transporting Wondra for the hearing. He expressed a desire to set a delay of just two weeks, but said he felt it was necessary to delay the hearing for four weeks to allow time to work on the matter of transportation.

The April 17 status conference is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Another status conference is scheduled before Judge Robert Jackson is scheduled for April 27 at 9 a.m.
 
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Woman accused in missing boy case 'deemed stable enough for trial'

PAYETTE COUNTY — The sole person in custody regarding a missing boy from Fruitland will soon be heading back to Payette County to proceed with hearings related to her charges.
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Woman accused in missing boy case 'deemed stable enough for trial'​

The sole person in custody regarding a missing boy from Fruitland will soon be heading back to Payette County to proceed with hearings related to her charges.

Payette County Magistrate Judge Robert L. Jackson during a motion hearing this morning OK’d filing paperwork to transport Sarah Wondra back to Payette to be lodged in the Payette County Jail.

According to a court official, the state hospital in blackfoot, which is under the direction of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, “has deemed her stable enough to stand trial.”

A status check is slated for 9 a.m. April 17 with a plea hearing on the following day, depending on how the status check goes.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.argusobserver.com

Woman accused in missing boy case 'deemed stable enough for trial'

PAYETTE COUNTY — The sole person in custody regarding a missing boy from Fruitland will soon be heading back to Payette County to proceed with hearings related to her charges.
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Woman accused in missing boy case 'deemed stable enough for trial'​

The sole person in custody regarding a missing boy from Fruitland will soon be heading back to Payette County to proceed with hearings related to her charges.

Payette County Magistrate Judge Robert L. Jackson during a motion hearing this morning OK’d filing paperwork to transport Sarah Wondra back to Payette to be lodged in the Payette County Jail.

According to a court official, the state hospital in blackfoot, which is under the direction of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, “has deemed her stable enough to stand trial.”

A status check is slated for 9 a.m. April 17 with a plea hearing on the following day, depending on how the status check goes.
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A plea hearing?
 
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The latest in a ‘very complex investigation’ of a missing child

PAYETTE COUNTY — Sarah Wondra is the only person who has been arrested and is facing criminal charges related to the case of missing Fruitland child Michael ’Monkey’ Vaughan. However,
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The latest in a ‘very complex investigation’ of a missing child​

Sarah Wondra is the only person who has been arrested and is facing criminal charges related to the case of missing Fruitland child Michael ’Monkey’ Vaughan. However, police still believe three others have first-hand knowledge of what happened.

Her husband, Stacey Wondra, remains a suspect, according to Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff.

The same is true with Adrienne Lucienne and Brandon Shurtliff, who were said to be living with the Wondras during Michael’s disappearance. However, he confirmed in an interview on Thursday that they are no longer “at large.” Police have had contact with Lucienne and Shurtliff, and Huff said “there are no arrest warrants at this point.”

“This is a very complex investigation and the prosecutor has the majority of our case, although investigators still continue to follow up, still receive tips and leads every day that we continue to follow up on,” Huff said. “We’re in it every day. Today is no different. We haven’t lost steam.”


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Prosecutor refiles old charges on Sarah Wondra

PAYETTE COUNTY — The woman being held on charges related to the disappearance of Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, of Fruitland, was arraigned on three felony charges in the Payette County Magistrate
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Prosecutor refiles old charges on Sarah Wondra​

The woman being held on charges related to the disappearance of Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, of Fruitland, was arraigned on three felony charges in the Payette County Magistrate Court on Wednesday. The charges were filed by Payette County Prosecutor Mike Duke on March 23. Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff says the charges are unrelated to Michael’s case. He says the stem from a gun crime in 2022. Sarah Wondra, along with her husband, each are facing one federal charge in that case.

Wondra is expected to appear in Payette County Magistrate court on the new local charges a week prior to her expected status check and plea hearing for allegedly not reporting the death of the child who has been missing since July of 2021.

According to court records obtained by the Argus Observer, Wondra’s charges in the gun case stem from an incident on April 13, 2022. Those charges are aggravated assault (with a deadly weapon on instrument); evidence-destruction, alteration or concealment; and possession of a controlled substance.

A court official confirmed that three charges filed on March 23 were the same as three of the five filed against her in April of 2022, which Duke dismissed June 1, 2022.

A request for comment from Duke regarding why the charges were refiled last week has not been returned.

A request for comment from the Idaho Attorney General’s office regarding state laws on re-filing of charges once dismissed also has not been returned.
 
Idaho woman faced only charge for missing Fruitland boy. Why was it just dropped?
The lone charge against an Idaho woman accused of being involved in the case of Michael Vaughan, a Fruitland boy who went missing nearly two years ago, was dismissed Monday morning.

She now faces new charges — but not for anything related to Michael’s disappearance.

At the request of the state, Wondra’s case was dropped “without prejudice by and for the reason that based on evidence in the States possession State v. Akins, 164 Idaho 74 (2018) may be a defense,” according to court records filed Friday.

The State v. Akins case cited in court involved a body wrapped in a tarp and a shower curtain being found in Lake Coeur d’Alene. A woman was charged with failure to notify authorities of a death, but the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that the state’s prosecution of that charge would violate her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

Payette County Prosecutor Mike Duke and Wondra’s defense attorney, Brett Schiller, did not immediately return the Idaho Stateman’s request for comment Monday on the dismissal.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
Idaho woman faced only charge for missing Fruitland boy. Why was it just dropped?
The lone charge against an Idaho woman accused of being involved in the case of Michael Vaughan, a Fruitland boy who went missing nearly two years ago, was dismissed Monday morning.

She now faces new charges — but not for anything related to Michael’s disappearance.

At the request of the state, Wondra’s case was dropped “without prejudice by and for the reason that based on evidence in the States possession State v. Akins, 164 Idaho 74 (2018) may be a defense,” according to court records filed Friday.

The State v. Akins case cited in court involved a body wrapped in a tarp and a shower curtain being found in Lake Coeur d’Alene. A woman was charged with failure to notify authorities of a death, but the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that the state’s prosecution of that charge would violate her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

Payette County Prosecutor Mike Duke and Wondra’s defense attorney, Brett Schiller, did not immediately return the Idaho Stateman’s request for comment Monday on the dismissal.
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By that "logic", how would they even possibly charge any guilty party? :thinking:
 
www.ktvb.com

Michael Vaughan's mother says she still 'confident' in law enforcement after charges dropped

Brandi Neal told KTVB she knows police are steadfast in their investigation and will bring justice for Michael.
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Michael Vaughan's mother says she still 'confident' in law enforcement after charges dropped​

The mother of missing Fruitland boy Michael Vaughan told KTVB she is "disheartened" and "upset" after charges against the only person who has been charged in her son's disappearance so far were dismissed on Monday.

However, Vaughan's mother Brandi Neal said she is confident in the law enforcement investigating the case.

"I know police are steadfast in their ongoing investigation and in bringing justice for Michael," Neal said.

She said she can't comment on why the prosecutor's office asked for the case to be dismissed, but she does say one thing to anyone with any involvement in Vaughan's disappearance -- charges are forthcoming.

She asked for the public to keep Vaughan's "beautiful face out there because we still need answers and tips and information from people who aren't talking."


The Fruitland Police Department said the dismissal in the Wondra case would not change the course of the investigation into the disappearance of Vaughan, who was 5 years old when he was reported missing July 27, 2021, from his family’s neighborhood near Southwest 9th Street.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.ktvb.com

Michael Vaughan's mother says she still 'confident' in law enforcement after charges dropped

Brandi Neal told KTVB she knows police are steadfast in their investigation and will bring justice for Michael.
www.ktvb.com www.ktvb.com

Michael Vaughan's mother says she still 'confident' in law enforcement after charges dropped​

The mother of missing Fruitland boy Michael Vaughan told KTVB she is "disheartened" and "upset" after charges against the only person who has been charged in her son's disappearance so far were dismissed on Monday.

However, Vaughan's mother Brandi Neal said she is confident in the law enforcement investigating the case.

"I know police are steadfast in their ongoing investigation and in bringing justice for Michael," Neal said.

She said she can't comment on why the prosecutor's office asked for the case to be dismissed, but she does say one thing to anyone with any involvement in Vaughan's disappearance -- charges are forthcoming.

She asked for the public to keep Vaughan's "beautiful face out there because we still need answers and tips and information from people who aren't talking."


The Fruitland Police Department said the dismissal in the Wondra case would not change the course of the investigation into the disappearance of Vaughan, who was 5 years old when he was reported missing July 27, 2021, from his family’s neighborhood near Southwest 9th Street.
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She must know something that hasn’t been made public.
 
www.argusobserver.com

Sarah Wondra waives preliminary hearing

PAYETTE — As the search for Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, a child missing from Fruitland, continues, the arraignment of Sarah Wondra - the only suspect in the case - will continue,
www.argusobserver.com

PAYETTE — As the search for Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, a child missing from Fruitland, continues, the arraignment of Sarah Wondra - the only suspect in the case - will continue, as well. Wondra is being held in the Payette County Jail on unrelated charges of aggravated assault, concealment of evidence and felony possession of a controlled substance.

A judge dismissed the charge regarding failure to report the death of a person, namely Michael, during a status check on April 17. There are now no suspects in jail or facing charges in relation to Michael's case.

<snip>
At a status hearing regarding the gun crime on Monday before Judge David Eames, Wondra agreed to waive her right to a preliminary hearing. She acknowledged that she was unclear about what a preliminary hearing entails. However, after Eames explained how such hearings work, Wondra agreed to move forward in waiving such a hearing.

She is represented by Attorney Brett Schiller. During this hearing, Schiller said he is filing a motion to argue for bond on Wondra's behalf. Wondra's bond was set at $250,000 on March 29.

Wondra is set to be arraigned before Judge Kiley Stuchlik on May 4 at 2:30 p.m.

A subpoena which was issued April 11 for the victim in the court case, was not served, according to court records.

In the gun case, Wondra and her husband, Stacey Wondra, are also facing federal gun charges, with both of those respective cases currently winding through court. Stacy is set to have a trial readiness conference today, with trial pending for May 8; Sarah is set for pretrial on May 18, with trial slated to begin May 30.
 
www.argusobserver.com

Stacey Wondra intends to plead guilty in federal gun case

FRUITLAND — A jury trial is no longer scheduled for Stacey Wondra, of Fruitland, who is facing federal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm.
www.argusobserver.com

FRUITLAND — A jury trial is no longer scheduled for Stacey Wondra, of Fruitland, who is facing federal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Though the charges are unrelated to the case of a missing boy in Fruitland, Wondra is one of four suspects police have named related to the disappearance of Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, of Fruitland, who disappeared from his neighborhood in July of 2021 at age 5.

<snip>
On April 26, a notice of intent to proceed with guilty plea was filed by Stacey Wondra’s attorney, Thomas Monaghan. Monaghan requested the courts to order the case be set for a change of plea hearing, rather than a trial, “pursuant to the plea agreement he previously entered with the government.”

That was granted and is set to take place on May 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Boise, in front of Magistrate Judge Debora Grasham.

The plea agreement, filed Aug. 23, 2022, states that Stacey Wondra will plead guilty and “admit the asset forfeiture allegation in the Indictment.” According to the document, once the plea is accepted, the government will recommend a sentence.
 
www.argusobserver.com

Judge denies bond for Sarah Wondra; sets date for jury trial

PAYETTE — Sarah Wondra pleaded not guilty to three felony charges at an arraignment hearing Thursday and a judge denied a request for bond reduction, keeping it at the $250,000
www.argusobserver.com

PAYETTE — Sarah Wondra pleaded not guilty to three felony charges at an arraignment hearing Thursday and a judge denied a request for bond reduction, keeping it at the $250,000 it was set at on March 29. With that, Wondra remains in the Payette County Jail.

The charges are unrelated to the case of Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan — a child missing from Fruitland since July of 2021 at the age of 5. However, Wondra remains a suspect in his case, along with three other individuals, including her husband, Stacey Bond, who is incarcerated in Ada County on a federal hold for a separate gun charge, also unrelated to the missing child case.

Previously, Sarah Wondra was facing a charge related to not reporting the death of Michael, however a judge dismissed those charges on April 17. There are currently no suspects in jail or facing charges in relation to the boy’s case.

Brandi Neal, Michael’s mother, attended Thursday’s hearing.

<snip>
With that, pretrial for the local charges in the gun case was set for June 15 at 2:30 p.m. Trial dates were set for Sept. 18-20, as well as Sept. 28-29, allowing the two extra days for motions if needed.

In the gun case, Wondra is also facing a federal gun charge; that is set for pretrial on May 18, with trial slated to begin May 30.
 
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