How Two Missing Minnesota Sisters Hid in Plain Sight for 2 Years

Summary

Two sisters, Giana and Samantha Rucky, vanish from their home in Minnesota amidst their parents' bitter divorce battle. Their mother alleges abuse, but the court finds no evidence, suggesting parental alienation syndrome. The girls reappear on local TV but disappear again. The case implicates an activist and a ranch, leading to a dramatic custody ruling in favor of the father. The mother, Sandra, faces legal troubles and is barred from contact with the girls.

Takeaways

• 👥 Two sisters, Giana and Samantha Rucky, disappeared from their home in Minnesota amidst their parents' bitter divorce.
• 🏠 The girls left without any shoes, coats, or backpacks, leaving only footprints in the snow as clues.
• 💔 The parents were engaged in a contentious custody dispute, with allegations of abuse by the father, David, which the court did not find evidence to support.
• 🚨 The mother, Sandra, claimed to have been a victim of domestic violence and had sought police intervention and protection orders multiple times.
• 👨‍⚖️ The family court judge appointed a psychologist and advocate for the children, ultimately ruling in favor of the father and against Sandra's allegations.
• 📉 Sandra was ordered out of the home, and all five children were removed from her custody, with the father's sister becoming their temporary guardian.
• 📺 The girls resurfaced on local television a month after their disappearance, expressing fear for their safety, before vanishing again.
• 🏡 The search for the girls led to an activist, Dee Evavold, and a therapy ranch where the girls were found years later.
• 🛑 Sandra was jailed and later released without permission to contact her daughters Giana and Samantha, but with conditions to see her other children.
• 👨‍👧‍👧 The father, David, was awarded full custody of all five children, and the girls reportedly expressed happiness upon returning home.

Q & A

What happened to the Rucky sisters on the evening of April 30th?

On the evening of April 30th, 13-year-old Giana and 14-year-old Samantha Rucky disappeared from their home in Minnesota without any shoes, coats, or backpacks.

What was the family situation of the Rucky sisters at the time of their disappearance?

Their parents were going through a hostile divorce and custody dispute, with allegations of abuse by the mother against the father, David Rucky.

What was the mother's claim about the father's behavior?

The mother claimed that David had a history of emotional and physical abuse towards both her and the children.

How did the family court judge respond to the allegations of abuse?

The judge determined there was no evidence of abuse and suggested that the children were showing signs of Parental Alienation Syndrome, implying that the mother, Sandra, was the real problem.

What drastic measure did the judge take regarding the children's custody?

The judge ordered Sandra out of the house and removed all five children from her custody, placing them under the temporary guardianship of David's sister, Tammy.

How did the two oldest daughters, Samantha and Giana, react to the custody change?

Samantha and Giana did not accept the custody change and disappeared without a trace.

Where did the Rucky sisters turn up after their disappearance?

They turned up on local television, expressing fear and wanting to be heard.

What was the final ruling of the family court judge regarding the children's custody?

The judge awarded full custody of all five children to David Rucky, stating there was no evidence to support Sandra's allegations of abuse.

What was the role of Dee Evavold in the story?

Dee Evavold was an activist and a supporter of Sandra who was suspected of helping hide the girls. The investigation led to her, and it was discovered that the girls had been at White Horse Ranch.

How long did it take for the authorities to find the Rucky sisters after their disappearance?

It took months, and the girls were found years after their initial disappearance.

What is the current situation of Sandra Rucky in relation to her children?

Sandra Rucky is not permitted to have any contact with Samantha and Giana as part of her release from jail. She is allowed to see her other children with conditions.