Siege children to stay with family friend

Five children who surrendered after a five day siege at their isolated home will stay with a family friend until a judge decides what will happen to them.

The children, aged eight to 16, had barricaded themselves in their remote Idaho home since their mother, JoAnn McGuckin, 45, was arrested on a charge of child neglect.

The children, who were believed to be armed and suspicious of the authorities, left the house peacefully on Saturday night.

‘‘We’re all elated that everything turned out well,’’ said Phil Robinson, the county prosecutor. ‘‘Everyone used a lot of restraint, kept calm, kept cool.’’

The children were taken to hospital, where they were said to be in good condition. They and a 15-year-old brother who had surrendered on Thursday were expected to be taken to the home of a family friend, Mr Robinson said.

A hearing was expected to be held today or Tuesday to determine where the children would stay for the next 30 days.

Bill Walker, a spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said a judge would be asked to decide whether to return the children to their mother, retain state custody or send them to live with their mother under state scrutiny.

A lawyer for the mother, Bryce Powell, said she had not been able to see the children. ‘‘She’s very relieved that they’re safe,’’ he said, ‘‘and she can’t wait to give them a big hug.’’

The children agreed to surrender after negotiators promised to try to help them stay together. The Bonner County sheriff, Phil Jarvis, said the children would remain together ‘‘if I have anything to say about it.’’

During the siege, Mrs McGuckin sent two messages to her children - with phrases they would recognise - indicating she was safe and they should cooperate.

Mr Powell said one message came from the children’s Winnie the Pooh book:

‘‘Tell them that their mother says they are a whoop- ti-do per bounce.’’

Authorities have not decided what to do with the family’s dogs, which continue to roam the land around the rural one-story family home near the lakeside community of Garfield Bay. Animal welfare societies have offered to help.