Kidnapped sisters found alive and safe after missing 11 months

VESTAL, NY (KTRK) -- Two sisters missing for 11 months were found alive and safe in New York this week.

Shaeleen and Kylea Fortner, 16 and 14 respectively, were kidnapped and held against their will, according to state police there.

A woman is now in custody for their disappearance. Police say a phone tip led them to a house where Amanda Hellman, 29, was arrested and charged with kidnapping in the second degree. Authorities said Hellman was a family acquaintance of the girls.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell said, "I don't want to get into specifically how she was a suspect but I can tell you she is in custody now and charged."

Both teens were living with their foster family in the town of Binghamton when they were taken. They were last seen at their Susquehanna Valley school, waiting to get on the school bus after classes on April 27, 2015.

Since then, WBNG reports the investigation has taken police on several twists and turns. Police say they received and investigated numerous leads about girls' location. Cornwell told local station WBNG, "For all of us, I think 11 months goes by and you think you are never going to see them again or you think the worst, but police didn't give up."

Shaeleen and Kylea are with Child Protective Services. Authorities say no additional charges are expected to be named in this case.