The mother of two Binghamton girls who had been missing for 317 days was sent to Broome County Jail after she was charged with kidnapping.

Authorities say 36-year-old Cindy Fortner, who currently lives in Homer, was arrested Friday (March 11). She faces a charge of second-degree kidnapping, the same charge filed a day earlier against 29-year-old Amanda Hellman of Vestal.

State police say 14-year-old Shaeleen Fortner and 16-year-old Ky-Lea Fortner were discovered in Hellman's home at 327 Torrance Avenue Wednesday evening. The sisters were turned over to Broome County Family Services.

Investigators said the girls had last been seen at a Susquehanna Valley School District building on April 27. They did not return to their Town of Binghamton foster home after school that day.

Cindy Fortner was arraigned in Conklin town court. She was ordered held without bail.

State police say they were assisted by Vestal police, Endicott police and the Broome County District Attorney's office.

Amanda Hellman (New York State Police photo)
Amanda Hellman (New York State Police photo)
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