Delaware couple convicted of strangling, kidnapping, and torturing their children

KENT COUNTY, Del. (TCD) — A couple pleaded guilty to the “serial abuse and torture of their children” that occurred over the course of nearly two years.

According to an Oct. 18 news release from the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, over a span of 20 months, 46-year-old Mary Vinson and 37-year-old Charles Vinson subjected their children to a series of abusive acts. They reportedly forced them to stand for extended periods of time, deprived them of food, forcibly fed them, and repeatedly inflicted violent physical assaults.

Both children, who have since been placed under the care of the Division of Family Services, were hospitalized multiple times due to the abuse. The Attorney General’s Office said the abuse was documented on video because Charles and Mary Vinson installed cameras in the children’s room.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, one of the victims was 10 years old at the time, while the other child was abused from age 11 to 13.

The couple was initially indicted on 646 charges in September 2022.

On Sept. 26, Mary Vinson pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree child abuse, seven counts of attempted first-degree child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, three counts of attempted second-degree assault, four counts of strangulation, three counts of first-degree reckless endangering, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second-degree conspiracy, and one count of false statement to police.

Charles Vinson pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of act of intimidation, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second-degree conspiracy, and one count of third-degree child abuse.

In a statement, Attorney General Jennings said, “These are the cases that keep us up at night. The pain that these children endured — and that it was inflicted by people who should have been their protectors — is unthinkable.”

The Vinsons are scheduled to be sentenced in January. Mary Vinson faces a minimum of 30 years and up to 444 years in prison. Charles Vinson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 158 years in prison.

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