Sisters missing since 1985 found alive as mum is arrested over kidnapping

 A mother has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping her two daughters more than 30 years ago.

Elaine Yates fled with Kimberly, then aged four, and Kelly, aged 10 months, on August 26, 1985, police said.The girls were reported missing from their home in Warwick, Rhode Island, by their father Russell Yates, who was involved in an alleged custody battle with his estranged wife at the time.



Elaine Yates, now 69, was found in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday and arrested , Rhode Island State Police confirmed.She had been living under the alias 'Liana L. Waldberg', authorities said.

Her daughters, now aged 35 and 32, were also found living in the Houston area with families of their own, the Providence Journal reported.

Kimberley Yates was four when she was abducted - shown before her disappearance and an age-progressed image

The women have been interviewed but their current identities will not be released, police added
 Speaking after his daughters were found on Tuesday, Russell said:

"I've always been trying to find my children.
"And now, at least, it is up to them to get in touch with me."

The family was traced after police received an anonymous tip on December 23, police said.Yates faces two counts of child snatching, but her former husband suggested he does not want to see her prosecuted.

Sister Kelly, shown aged 10 months at the time of her disappearance and how she might look as an adult

He told the Providence Journal:

"That ain't gonna help her, me or anybody else at this point. I just want to see my kids."

Yates allegedly abducted her children after discovering her husband was having an affair.He is believed to have taken his wife to an emergency room for treatment where staff suggested she go to a women's shelter in Massachusetts.

Three weeks later, while bar owner Russell was at work, she allegedly fled with their daughters.

He is believed to have returned home at 2am to find the house empty.

Russell reportedly admitted he had hit his wife during an argument over his cheating, but claims she attacked him first, according to the Charley Project.

 Daily Mirror