Police: 'Runaway' teen sisters found after 11 months were actually kidnapped


Two sisters who had been missing for almost a year were finally found Wednesday night, and a family acquaintance has reportedly been charged in their kidnapping.

New York State Police said in a statement Ky-Lea Fortner and Shaeleen Fitch-Fortner were discovered in the town of Vestal, about 15 miles away from where they were last seen last spring.

Police say they arrested 29-year-old Amanda Hellman, who they called a "family acquaintance," at the scene. She has been charged with second-degree kidnapping.

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The sisters were first reported as "teen runaways" in April, when Ky-Lea was 15 and Shaeleen was 13. Authorities say they were living with a foster family in Binghamton, and they were last seen waiting for a bus at their school.

During the 11-month-long investigation into their disappearance, police say they received many "investigative leads," which eventually pointed them to the girls' location.

Ky-Lea and Shaeleen have reportedly been turned over to family services. Hellman was arraigned and is being held in the Broome County Jail without bail.

This video includes a clip from the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin and images from the New York State Police.

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