CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The three Americans who fled to Scotland following an alleged 2018 attempt to kidnap five Old Order Mennonite children and execute their parents were arraigned in Charlottesville federal court on Wednesday.

Alleged ringleader Valerie Hayes and co-conspirator Jennifer Amnott, both pled not guilty. The two face life in prison, as does Gary Reburn, who will be arraigned on Thursday.

The alleged conspiracy ended when the mother at the first of two homes that were targeted was able to escape and call 911. Her husband, meanwhile, was taken to the basement where he was restrained and held at gunpoint. Frank Amnott was found and detained by a Rockingham County deputy. Amnott has pled guilty and is expected to be a primary witness.

The trial date was set for Jan. 5, 2026, but prosecutor Sean Welsh said it might take a year or more before a trial could begin.