OREM, Utah (TCN) — A couple is facing multiple counts of first-degree felony child torture following a child abuse investigation.
According to court documents obtained by KTVX, police received a report of child abuse regarding a 5-year-old boy on Jan. 29. The child and his sister, age 7, were taken to the Children’s Justice Center for forensic interviews. Their names have not been released.
KTVX reports that the man and woman, both 24, were arrested and charged with two counts of child torture each and are currently being held in jail. According to Utah law, child torture in a first-degree felony that is qualified by “exceptionally cruel or exceptionally depraved” abuse. Their names have also not been released.
The 5-year-old reported being physically abused by the couple for having accidents, as well as being locked in his room and not allowed to eat or leave to go to the bathroom, according to KTVX.
The 7-year-old also reported being locked in her room and in a closet, where she was injured by a bucket of tools. She reported that her stepmother would not let her out to use the bathroom, leading to an accident, which she was punished for by having cold water dumped on her. KTVX reports that during the interview, the 7-year-old said her stepmother sat on her head, strangled her, put hot sauce in her eye and on her tongue, and pulled out a clump of her hair.
The Orem Police Department served a search warrant at the home following the interviews and found that the children’s doors had locks on the outside and that the 7-year-old’s windows were covered with plywood, KTVX reports.
According to KUTV, the Division of Family and Child Services obtained a warrant to remove two other children from the home. One of these children reportedly had bruising and a cut lip. They were reportedly taken in by a relative before being placed into protective custody.
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