Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Idaho Standoff Continues; 15-Year-Old Boy in Protective Custody

Aired June 01, 2001 - 09:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to turn now to that standoff between children and authorities in Idaho. As we told you a few moments ago, authorities say one of the children, a 15-year-old, has left the house. That, of course, would leave five other children still inside where they are believed to be holding some weapons and where they are protected by a pack of wild dogs.

Reporter Kristi Paulus of CNN affiliate KCPQ Television joins us now from near Sandpoint, Idaho, with more.

Kristi, good morning.

KRISTI PAULUS, KCPQ-TV REPORTER: Good morning.

We are just getting information from the Bonner County prosecutor's office that 15-year-old Ben McGuckin has been taken into protective custody. Authorities say it's likely he was never in the house during this now, three-day standoff. He was probably wandering in the woods. He eventually wandered to a neighbor's house. That neighbor called authorities yesterday at about 4:00 in the afternoon.

And again, 15-year-old Ben McGuckin taken into protective custody. As far as we know, the other five children are still in the house, armed with rifles and, like you said, a pack of wild dogs protecting them.

The standoff began on Tuesday when authorities arrested the children's mother, JoAnn McGuckin on charges of felony injury to a child. When sheriff's deputies tried to take the kids, ages 8 to 16, into protective custody, the oldest son, Ben, ran toward the house yelling get the guns. But again, it was Ben taken into custody yesterday. And the Bonner County prosecutor's office says the boy apparently wants to help bring this standoff to an end.

The children's mother, now still in jail, is expected to be in court today to try to get her bail reduced from $100,000 to $10,000. The charges apparently originate from information that there was no power, nor water, to the house and perhaps some neglect to the children. There is a lawyer who is working on her side who says that is not true -- that this is a healthy, happy, loving family.

Deputies were using a bullhorn, we understand, to try and get the attention of the children up until last night. But they have stopped doing that for now, really trying to quiet down this situation.

But again, a major break in this now three-day standoff that 15- year-old Ben McGuckin has been taken into protective custody. Those other five children still in the house.

Back to you guys in Atlanta.

FRAZIER: The only question, Kristi, as we look forward is whether authorities have given you any indication that they might bring that 15-year-old to the scene in an attempt to use him to mediate the situation?

PAULUS: We have not received information of that. But yesterday, the children's older sister, a 19-year-old older sister, was brought to the scene in an attempt to establish some sort of dialogue. The children did not talk to her. But being that they brought the sister, perhaps that is something they would do.

FRAZIER: Near Sandpoint, Idaho, Kristi Paulus from KCPQ Television. Kristi, thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com