Rhode Island Dismisses Charges Against Mother Who Snatched Two Daughters in 1985

Updated Story 5:07 p.m., Jan. 25: The State of Rhode Island has dismissed child snatching charges against a woman who took her two young daughters from their home in 1985 and assumed a new identity in Houston.

According to state officials, new evidence arose in the case, which exonerated her.

For more than 30 years, Elaine Yates, 69, who was the non-custodial mother of the two girls, was on the lam and hiding under the assumed name of Liana Waldberg, which became her legal name in 2009.

Now, with the charges against her dismissed, she doesn't need to hide any longer.

Neighbors and friends of Yates said they were shocked to learn of her past, with some saying she should face the judge, while others saying she likely had a good reason to run and hide and should be let go.

Yates was arrested without incident earlier this month and and faced a fugitive charge and two counts of child snatching, before the charges were dismissed.

Kimberly Yates, 35, Kelly Yates, 32, where just three years old, and 10 months old when they came to Houston, and although the don't live with their mother, they remained in the Houston area.

Meanwhile, their father, Russell Yates isn't worried about prosecuting his ex-wife, but he'd like to one day see his children.

"I’ve always been trying to find my children. And now at least, it’s up to them to get in touch with me. What happens with my ex-wife, I really feel bad about, but we got (to) find out what’s going on,” Russell Yates
said.

Original Story: HOUSTON, TX -- The mystery of two Rhode Island children who vanished with their non-custodial mother in 1985 has been solved.

According to police in Rhode Island, two children reported missing 31 years ago were found in the Houston area and their mother, identified in court documents as Elaine Yates, has been charged with snatching them.

Police said they received a tip about their location on Dec. 23, which led them to Kimberly Yates, 35, Kelly Yates, 32, and their 69-year-old mother.

According to police, Elaine Yates mother had been living in Houston under the name Leina Waldberg since 1985.

She was arrested without incident and faces arraignment Wednesday on a fugitive charge and is charged with two counts of child snatching.

Kelly Yates was 10-months old and her sister was 3 when they were taken 31 years ago.

Both women still live in the Houston area, police said.

Police said the father of the two women has been contacted.

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