BUS BEAST

Major update in case of monster who kidnapped a bus full of 26 school kids and buried them alive

A MONSTER who kidnapped a school bus full of children and then buried them alive in what became the largest mass kidnapping in US history has been granted parole after 46 years.

Frederick Woods, 70, was 24 years old when he was one of three vile men who hijacked a bus of 26 children between five and 14 years old along with their bus driver in California in 1976.

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Frederick Woods, 70, was 24 years old in 1976 when he was one of three vile men who hijacked a bus of 26 children between five and 14 years old along with their bus driver in CaliforniaCredit: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Each co-conspirator was initially given 27 life sentences without the possibility of parole when they pleaded guilty more than 45 years agoCredit: ALAMEDA COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE
Woods first became eligible for parole in 1982, according to inmate informationCredit: Getty

Governor Gavin Newsom asked the state’s parole board to reconsider paroling Woods after two commissioners recommended his release, according to KKTV News.

Woods was originally found suitable for parole at his 18th parole hearing held in March.

Newsom referred the decision to be reviewed by the full parole board, CDCR Deputy Press Secretary Terry Thornton said.

He first became eligible for parole in 1982, according to inmate information.

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Woods and his abducting partners, Richard and James Schoenfeld, pleaded guilty to the mass kidnapping more than 45 years ago.

Each of them was initially given 27 life sentences without the possibility of parole.

An appeals court overturned the sentence and ruled that they should have the chance for parole.

Richard Schoenfeld was paroled in 2012, and James Schoenfeld was released in 2015. Woods is the last of the three still in custody.

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The three men took the children and bus driver more than 100 miles away from Chowchilla, California and put the captives into a moving truck, according to CNN.

The kidnappers buried the hostages alive in a quarry owned by Woods' father then demanded $5 million ransom while the victims were underground.

After 16 hours underground, the driver and the children dug themselves out and escaped while the kidnappers were asleep.

The kidnapping plan was, reportedly, inspired by a plot point in the movie "Dirty Harry."

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Richard Schoenfeld was paroled in 2012, and James Schoenfeld was released in 2015. Woods is the last of the three still in custodyCredit: Getty
The three men took the children and bus driver more than 100 miles away from Chowchilla, California and put the captives into a moving truckCredit: ALAMEDA COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE
The kidnappers buried the hostages alive in a quarry owned by Woods' father then demanded $5 million ransom while the victims were undergroundCredit: CBS
Their plan was, reportedly, inspired by a plot point in the movie Dirty HarryCredit: ALAMEDA COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE
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