...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM MST
FRIDAY...
* WHAT...An extended period of stagnant air, with light winds
and little vertical mixing.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Idaho and
northeast and southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until 1 PM MST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of
pollutants near the surface.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
An Air Stagnation Advisory concerns itself with meteorological
conditions only. For more information on air pollution in Idaho,
visit website www.deq.idaho.gov. For Oregon, visit website
www.oregon.gov/deq.
If possible, reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to
air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and the use of
residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and
vehicle idling as much as possible.
&&
Crews excavate a yard on Redwing Street in search of evidence pertaining to the disappearance of Michael Vaughan, a young boy who went missing from Fruitland in July 2021.
Crews excavate a yard on Redwing Street in search of evidence pertaining to the disappearance of Michael Vaughan, a young boy who went missing from Fruitland in July 2021.
BOISE — Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff on Wednesday confirmed crews finished processing the entire home off Redwing Street in Fruitland, where investigators were looking for the possible remains of 6-year-old Michael Vaughan, who went missing from his neighborhood in July 2021.
Investigators have been out at the home in Fruitland since the late hours of Nov. 11, excavating a backyard where 35-year-old Sarah Wondra was one of the occupants. Wondra was arrested Nov. 12 in connection to Vaughan’s possible death and charged with failure to report a death.
Huff told KTVB search crews finished processing the entire home and yard Wednesday. Investigators stopped digging on the property Friday, Nov. 18.
The Fruitland Police Department is planning a press conference for the middle of next week, likely Wednesday or Thursday, according to Huff.
Payette County prosecutors said in Wondra’s Nov. 14 arraignment that she failed to notify law enforcement of the death of Vaughan “with intent to prevent discovery of the manner of death.”
A Payette County magistrate judge on Monday determined Wondra is currently mentally unfit to proceed.
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Wondra’s attorney appeared in court via Zoom Monday for a status conference. Judge Brian D. Lee reset the conference for the morning of Friday, Dec. 23. A preliminary hearing previously set for Tuesday, Nov. 22, had already been vacated.
Online court records show Lee on Monday also issued a commitment order, pursuant to the Idaho law about determination of fitness to proceed in a criminal case. Wondra is being transferred to custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for treatment. The commitment order indicates she was found unfit to assist in her own defense. Therefore, proceedings against Wondra are on hold.
One day before Wondra was arrested, investigators began searching the Fruitland home after receiving a lead that came from what Huff called “a very credible tip” related to the disappearance of Vaughan.
Failure to notify or delaying notification of a death is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $1,000 fine if found guilty.
Idaho does not have an “insanity defense,” but under state law, “no person who, as a result of (mental illness), lacks capacity to understand the proceedings against him or assist in his own defense shall be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished... so long as such incapacity endures.” Competency evaluations are conducted by at least one court-appointed psychiatrist or psychologist.
While the community waits for more updates on the search, a community Facebook group scheduled a candlelight prayer circle for Michael Vaughan and his family on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. in the gazebo at Fruitland Community Park.
Vaughan is still considered missing, and anyone with information that may help solve the case is encouraged to reach out. Submit tips to Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS (208-343-2677) or email findmichael@fruitland.org.