Beth & Jeremy Bird Flee Vegas Amid Gambling Charges

It has come to the attention of the Young Family Bracket Challenge that Beth and Jeremy Bird have fled Las Vegas, Nev. amid information that they may have put money on Nathaniel Abbott and West Virginia to win the National Championship - a team neither of them selected in their own brackets.

It is believed to be a strategy to make money off of the NCAA Tournament after both of them had been out of contention to take the 2010 Challenge.

Reports of Beth Bird repeatedly saying, "I called it!! ...I said Nathaniel would take it this year... GO NATHANIEL!!!!!!!!!!!!," has spurned concern to bracket challenge participants. Nathaniel Royce Abbott is currently in third place and is the lead contender for the 2010 Challenge crown if West Virginia does win the National Championship.

Also, numerous anonymous reports have come in, including a tip from a close friend of the family, saying they mentioned placing a bet in Vegas on the National Championship game.

While gambling is not prohibited by the Young Family Bracket Challenge Rules, this situation is frowned upon based on the rule that prohibits participating in other bracket challenges. It is believed that the two suspects placed money on West Virginia in hopes of making a formidable amount of money after not winning the Bracket Challenge three years in a row.

The initial report came from the receptionist at the Treasure Island Resort on the strip of Las Vegas. She mentioned hearing Jeremy tell Beth he planned on buying a brand new Toyota 4Runner with the winnings he would receive after placing money on Nathaniel Abbott to win it all. The witness also reported that Beth was practically drooling over the ideas of remodeling her kitchen and installing a see-through fireplace to connect the living room and family room.

"I'm appalled by their actions and their decision to exploit my beautiful and innocent child," says Heather Abbott, mother and fan club president of Nathaniel Royce Abbott. "If anyone should be able to exploit him for money, it should be me and his father, not an Aunt and Uncle who lives hundreds of miles away. I'm disgusted by this, and if they wish to ever see my son again, they better hope they win because they will need to split the winnings 50/50 with me. I've got some new prescription drugs ER bills coming my way, and that sh*t is expensive... you know... 'doctor's orders'."

The last report about Beth and Jeremy placed them boarding American Airlines Flight 1476 in Dallas/Fortworth, Texas... destination unknown.

We will give you the most up to date information as we receive it while the Board will discuss any ramifications of their exploitation of their nephew for money.