Nine Children Rescued From Ohio Home, Parents Arrested on Child Endangerment Charges

Authorities in Ohio rescued nine children from a home described as 'deplorable,' where they were allegedly locked in cages and subjected to abuse. The Licking County Sheriff's Office saved the children, aged one to 13, on Tuesday afternoon following a tip from Child Protective Services regarding physical abuse and inadequate living conditions.

An arrest warrant obtained by The Sun detailed allegations that the children were forced to stand for hours with nails between their toes and were locked behind cages or barriers. Law enforcement officers reported finding 'deplorable living conditions' and a bug infestation at the property in Etna Township, approximately 20 miles east of Columbus.

Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacqueline Coleman, 32, have been arrested and charged with child endangerment. Court records indicate Coleman is the mother of all nine children, and Parr is the father of seven. Both are being held at the Licking County Justice Center.

Conditions at the Home

Captain Jay Cook of the Licking County Sheriff's Department described the living conditions as 'horrific and disgusting' during a press conference. Parr and Coleman reportedly lived in a small shed on the property with at least four of the children. Coleman had left the residence with two children but was later apprehended by officers during a traffic stop.

Cook noted that some children may have been placed in cages, explaining that a foldable cage was found blocking a doorway to a room lacking a door. He added that children reported abuse, including being made to stand against a wall in a squatting position for extended periods as punishment or for no apparent reason. Nails on the floor were allegedly used as markers for the children's feet during these punishments.

The alleged abuse reportedly began in April 2023, according to a felony complaint report. Parr, during his arraignment, denied the allegations, stating, 'I did not keep anyone in cages or any of the other charges.' Coleman is alleged to have been aware of the abuse and permitted it to continue.

Both Parr and Coleman had their bonds set at $150,000 and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 23. Parr has been ordered to have no contact with Coleman or the alleged victims.

The nine rescued children have been placed in CPS custody. A total of 12 people, ranging in age from 1 to 64, were living at the residence, including the children's grandmother, who has not been charged. This incident follows a separate rescue of 16 youths from a home in Hamden, Ohio, on June 30.