Nine Children Rescued From Ohio Home Amid Allegations of Torture and Abuse
Authorities discovered children, ages 1 to 13, living in squalid conditions, some allegedly confined to cages.
Nine children ranging in age from 1 to 13 were rescued Tuesday from a bug-infested home in Licking County, Ohio, where they allegedly endured years of abuse, including being locked in cages and forced to stand for extended periods as punishment.
Their parents, Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacquelyn Coleman, 32, are facing charges related to child endangerment. Parr, who is the biological father of seven of the children, was arrested at the property. Coleman, the biological mother of six, allegedly knew about and allowed the abuse to continue. She was apprehended during a traffic stop after allegedly fleeing the scene when authorities arrived.
Investigators stated that some of the children were confined to small cages, described as not being suitable for large dogs, and were forced to stand for hours with nails placed between their toes. According to Jay Cook of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, the children were sometimes made to stand against a wall for the entire day as a form of punishment or for no apparent reason.
The children were discovered living in deplorable conditions, with some residing in a shed and others in a mobile home on the property. Three dogs were also rescued from the residence.
Parr has denied the allegations, stating in court, "It's not true. I did not keep anyone in cages or any of the other charges. I love my kids. I would die for my kids."
Parr faces charges for child endangerment and subjecting two non-biological children to abuse. Coleman is charged with child endangerment.
Parr and Coleman are scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 23.