Parents fed their 7 kids dog food, locked them in a shed as punishment, Ohio cops say

Parents accused of abusing their seven children over a nine-year span have been arrested and charged in Ohio, according to law enforcement and news reports.

Jason and Kristelle Fuller each face child endangerment-related charges following the alleged abuse, which Delaware County officials say began in 2015.

The father is accused of administering “corporal punishment” to his children and physically restraining them “in a cruel manner or for a prolonged period,” according to court records filed in Delaware County. The records also state the “torture” could have caused serious harm to the kids.

The seven children were allegedly fed dog food, locked in a shed, beaten with a belt and physically restrained as forms of punishment, WBNS and WSYX reported, citing prosecutors.

The children’s mother, according to the court records, hindered the discovery of the abuse. She is accused of hiding evidence and allowing the abuse to happen.

She also told her children they should lie to authorities about the abuse, WBNS reported, citing court records.

Kristelle Fuller is charged with obstructing justice, permitting child abuse and a child endangerment misdemeanor, court records show. She was jailed on a $75,000 bond.

Jason Fuller faces eight felony child endangerment charges, according to the court records. His arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, April 25.

Delaware County is about a 30-mile drive north of Columbus.

This story was originally published April 25, 2024 at 8:13 AM with the headline "Parents fed their 7 kids dog food, locked them in a shed as punishment, Ohio cops say."