Sisters abducted by their mother more than 30 years ago found alive

A mother has been arrested on suspicion on kidnapping her two daughters after she was discovered living under a false identity more than 30 years later.

Elaine Yates disappeared with four-year-old daughter Kimberly and 10-month-old Kelly from their Rhode Island home on August 26 1985.

They were initially reported missing by father Russell Yates, who was involved in a bitter custody battle with his estranged wife at the time.

Now, police have confirmed that Mrs Yates, now 69, has been arrested after she was discovered in Houston, Texas, yesterday.

According to authorities, she had been living under the name ‘Linda L. Waldberg.’

The Providence Journal reports that her daughters were also discovered in the area, and are now 35 and 32 respectively.

They have been interviewed by police but their new identities are being kept under wraps.

Speaking after the shock discovery, Mr Yates 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.’

Police say that the family was traced after they received a tip-off from an anonymous source on December 24.

But while Yates faces two counts of child-snatching, her former husband does not want to see her prosecuted.

He said: ‘That ain’t gonna help her, me or anybody else at this point. I just want to see my kids.’

It is claimed that Mrs Yates abducted her children after discovering that her husband had been having an affair.

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He reportedly admitted hitting his wife during the furious row that followed – but says she delivered the first blow.

Three weeks later, she fled the house at 2AM, taking her daughters with her.

Mr Yates was eventually awarded full custody of his daughters in absence, before a felony warrant was issued for Yates’ arrest on November 16, 1988.