Mental check postponed for imprisonment suspect

A mental evaluation for the Vancouver mother charged with starving, beating and imprisoning her adopted twins has been postponed until after the new year.

Sandra Weller, 48, appeared in Clark County Superior Court Tuesday for review of a Western State Hospital evaluation on whether she’s competent to assist in her own defense.

The review was postponed until March 6, after attorneys heard the state hospital wouldn’t be able to evaluate Weller until next year.

Her case is on hold until the mental evaluation; her husband and co-defendant, Jeffrey Weller, has a trial date of March 26.

The Wellers were arrested Oct. 12 after a Child Protective Services worker alerted Vancouver police. Officers interviewed the twins, who alleged that for as long as they could remember, the Wellers have locked them in a bedroom without electricity and only fed them once a day, according to court documents.

If they sneaked food, the twins said, Jeffrey Weller would beat them with a wooden board.