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American Morning

New Development in Case of Missing Oregon Girls

Aired August 16, 2002 - 07:07   ET

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

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There may be a new development today in the case of two missing children, this in Oregon City, Oregon. Authorities there have a man in custody, who has identified himself as a suspect in the separate disappearances of the two girls, Miranda Gaddis and Ashley Pond. Their disappearance occurred earlier this year.
Ward Weaver was arrested this week in an unrelated case, charged with the rape of a 19-year-old woman.

James Hattori in Oregon City tracking the very latest on this and the developments now.

James -- good morning.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

We're across the street from the home of 39-year-old Ward Weaver, who is in jail, accused of raping his son's 19-year-old girlfriend Tuesday night.

Now, according to a report in a local paper, "The Oregonian," his son called 911 that same night and claimed his father killed two missing Oregon City girls, Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis, who lived in their -- who were kidnapped separately from their apartment complex right next door to this home about five months ago -- more than five months ago.

Authorities won't confirm the 911 call, but one of Weaver's ex- wives had this to say about the accusation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTI SLOAN, WARD WEAVER'S EX-WIFE: I feel that he is capable. If he is capable of doing something like the brutal, sexual attack to a family member, that he is capable of killing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Now, Francis Weaver's mother, another ex-wife of Weaver, says that she thinks her son was angry about the rape, and that may be why he made the accusation that his father killed those two girls.

Now, we couldn't reach Francis Weaver. Authorities aren't commenting about that 911 report. The FBI does say there is still no suspect in the kidnapping of those two girls -- Bill. HEMMER: James, there is an intriguing development in certain corners of that town that say that Ward Weaver actually went around town bragging, some say, that he was the lead suspect in the disappearance of these two young girls. Is there more to that that you have heard from locals and from police?

HATTORI: Well, he did say that police told him that he was a prime suspect. But on the other hand, he also said he was innocent, that he didn't do it. In fact, he sort of put it in the context that he was being harassed by the police. In fact, made mention in some reports of talking about moving to Mexico to get away from all of this, and that's why he is in custody on this separate charge.

They have asked for $1 million bail, so he is in jail. He's not going anywhere right now, while they sort out whether, in fact, he is connected. But he claims he is innocent.

HEMMER: Thank you, James -- James Hattori, Oregon City, up very early for us this morning. Thank you much.

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