During the course of what the authorities described as years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse, a couple from Victorville, California, and their adult daughter who fostered children were charged with child abuse and torture on Wednesday.
A total of six counts of torture and one act of child abuse have been brought against Tina Marie Sheffield Key, 60, Kenneth Michael Key, 60, and their daughter Kaitlynn Marresa Key, 23. Each of the six children in their care was subjected to one count of torture.
The arraignment is set to take place on May 15th. Whether or not the three suspects have an attorney who is able to speak on their behalf was not directly apparent at the time.
According to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, the children range in age from four to sixteen years old.
Their arrests were revealed on Tuesday. They were taken into custody at the Central Detention Center, where they were given a bond amount of one million dollars.
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The children were allegedly subjected to years of abuse, which included daily beatings and strangulation to the point of unconsciousness, according to a complaint that was submitted on Wednesday by the prosecution.
According to the office of the district attorney, the punishments included depriving the children of basic necessities such as food and water for several days.
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It was not immediately possible to obtain information regarding the circumstances that led to the arrests of the individuals.
Anyone who may have information regarding the investigation was urged to get in touch with the authorities at the following number: 909-890-4904.
Information can be left on the We-Tip website by those who desire to maintain their anonymity.
