‘These children went through hell’: Couple sentenced for strangling, kidnapping, and torturing kids

KENT COUNTY, Del. (TCD) — A couple has been sentenced to prison for the severe abuse and torture of their young children over a period of 20 months.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Feb. 29 that a judge sentenced 46-year-old Mary Vinson to 106 years and 37-year-old Charles Vinson to 49 years in prison.

On Sept. 26, 2023, 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.

The couple was previously indicted on a total of 646 charges in September 2022.

According to the attorney general’s office, one victim was 10 years old at the time of the abuse, while the other child was abused from age 11 to 13.

The Vinsons reportedly made their children “stand for long periods of time,” withheld food from them, and force fed the victims. They also “violently and repetitively physically assaulted” their children.

Due to the severity of the abuse and torture, the victims had been hospitalized multiple times.

The Vinsons placed cameras in their children’s room, which captured their crimes. The Division of Family Services eventually took custody of the children.

Jennings said, “These children went through hell. Now they never have to worry about their abusers again.”

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