Two people have been arrested in Ohio after nine children were allegedly subjected to a campaign of abuse, including being locked in cages and starved. Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacqueline Coleman, 32, face charges after police described finding 'deplorable' conditions inside a trailer home in Licking County.
Conditions described as 'horrific'
Authorities declined to provide extensive details about the scene, with a spokesperson saying: "The living conditions in that trailer were horrific". According to court documents, the trailer was infested with bugs, and at least four of the children were reportedly forced to sleep in a makeshift shed next door.
Local Child Protective Services (CPS) described finding evidence of "physical abuse, including failure to provide food and waste". The report also cited "insufficient living space" as a concern.
Allegations of torture
CPS also described alleged torture the children appeared to have been subjected to. This included being forced to stand for hours on end with "nails between their toes" as well as being "locked behind cages or barriers". The victims are believed to be aged between one and twelve, although it is unclear whether all nine are biological children of both Parr and Coleman.
A 64-year-old woman, believed to be the grandmother of the nine children, also lived on the property. It is not clear if she could face any charges.
Charges filed
According to Licking County Sheriff’s Department Captain Jay Cook, the physical abuse was "punishment, and sometimes, it was for no reason at all". He added: "They would have to stand with their back pressed against the wall, like a wall-squat type situation. It was reported that they would have to sometimes stand there all day."
Parr denied all allegations during his court hearing on October 14, saying: "It’s not true. I didn’t keep anybody in cages or [commit] any of the other charges. I love my kids. I would die for my kids."
Parr and Coleman have both received third-degree felony child endangerment charges, which carry a maximum of three years in prison, although at this stage it is still possible more charges will be filed.
