NY sheriff: Couple charged with kidnapping 2 Amish sisters may have planned other abductions

CANTON, N.Y. – Authorities say a New York couple arrested in the kidnapping of two young Amish sisters may have also planned to abduct other children.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells said Saturday that “there was the definite potential” of additional victims besides the 7-year-old and 12-year-old, who were returned to their family late Thursday.

Stephen Howells Jr. and Nicole Vaisey, both of Hermon, were arrested Friday. Each was charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping with the intent to physically harm or sexually abuse the girls.

Wells says additional charges may be filed.

The sisters were abducted Wednesday from their roadside farm stand in Oswegatchie (ah-swee-GAH’-chee).

Wells says the motive was “to take these girls from their home and victimize these girls.”

Both suspects are being held without bail.

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