Nationwide — Sky and Sevyn, African American brothers ages 9 and 10 from Omaha, Nebraska, were reportedly abducted by armed strangers while walking to a nearby store. Police said suspects forced them into a car before officers stopped and brought them home safely.
According to WISTV, the boys were on a familiar route to a convenience store near their home when two armed men confronted them. Prosecutors described the situation as a frightening encounter that quickly escalated when the boys were forced into a vehicle.
Authorities identified the suspects as 19-year-old Juantez Ruffin and 18-year-old James Barnes. Police say both were armed with an AR-15 and other weapons and used threats of violence during the incident.
According to investigators, the suspects claimed someone had “snitched” on their associate and said that person would “pay with blood.” They allegedly forced the boys into a plan involving knocking on a door at a home, asking to use a phone, and then taking it before fleeing.
Police later located the vehicle after a caller reported being followed. Officers stopped the car and took the children back home without physical injuries but shaken by the experience.
“I was scared I was not going back home,” said Sky. “I don’t want to go outside no more because I’m scared it’s gonna happen again.”
“I can’t go to the store no more,” Sevyn said. He said he is afraid of “getting into the same incident again.”
Their mother, Zonetta Amerson, said the experience has changed daily life for the family. “It’s just real traumatizing,” she said. “You know, they’re young, and they’re going to have to think about that when they get older for the rest of their life. I’m scared for them to go outside now.”
Ruffin and Barnes face charges of kidnapping and felony child abuse. They are being held on a $10 million bond. Police say the suspects did not know the children or their family.