LIVERMORE FALLS — A sister and brother were arrested Sunday afternoon after police said they broke into a home on Route 17 where the woman’s ex-husband was living, assaulted him, and took the couple’s two young children.

April Tilton, 22, of Anson was arrested on charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor assault, Livermore Falls Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Monday.

Her brother, Joshua Whitcomb, 18, of North Anson was arrested on charges of felony burglary, misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief.

Convictions on the charges carry up to five years in prison for the felonies, and up to 364 days on the misdemeanors.

Apparently the ex-spouse had moved in with relatives in Livermore Falls, Steward said.

The man had visitations with his children there, Steward said. The mother decided she wanted to retrieve them, but the ex-husband refused because of an issue over proper care of the children, ages 1 and 4.

The mother and brother forced their way into the residence by breaking a window in the door, opening it, and forcing another door open. They then physically assaulted the ex-husband with their hands and took the children, he said.

When Officer Steve Wilkinson and Lt. Thomas Gould arrived at the scene, the children were in the vehicle, Steward said.

The siblings were arrested and the children were returned to their father, he said.

Both Tilton and Whitcomb were released late Sunday on $250 unsecured bail, an Androscoggin County corrections officer said Monday.

They are scheduled to appear on Jan. 28 in Androscoggin County Superior Court in Auburn, Steward said.

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