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Man claims he's a suspect in Oregon kidnappings

Miranda Gaddis, left, and Ashley Pond
Miranda Gaddis, left, and Ashley Pond  


OREGON CITY, Oregon (CNN) -- The man who describes himself as a prime suspect in the abductions of two girls who vanished last winter in Oregon City faces another court appearance next week on unrelated rape and sex abuse charges.

Ward Weaver, whose home is near the apartment complex where the girls were last seen, appeared at a bail hearing Wednesday on charges of first-degree rape and sexual abuse of a 19-year-old woman, said Greg Horner, Clackamas County chief deputy attorney.

Bail was set at $1 million because of prosecution fears that Weaver might flee, perhaps to Mexico, Horner said.

The case will be considered by a grand jury early next week for a possible indictment, he said. A preliminary hearing is set for next Wednesday. Horner said Weaver knew the woman he is accused of raping and abusing.

As is standard procedure in Oregon City, Weaver made a video court appearance from the county jail.

When asked about Weaver's comment that he is a key suspect in the dual kidnappings, Horner said, "We've never said that. The police have never said that. The only one who's ever said that is him."

Friends Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis, both 13, vanished two months apart on their way to school.

Ashley was last seen walking outside her apartment January 9. Miranda, who was worried about her missing friend, disappeared March 8.

Investigators believe the girls were taken by the same person.

Beth Anne Steele, a spokeswoman for the FBI office in Portland, north of Oregon City, declined to comment Wednesday on whether Weaver was believed to be connected to the abduction cases.



 
 
 
 







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