Couple arrested for torturing 10 & 11-year-old who were starved, shaved & beaten while bound with cord, belts & zip ties
AN Ohio couple has been arrested for allegedly torturing, starving and tying up a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy for months.
Police claim the abuse began in April and went on until Priscilla Meachem, 31, and Elijah Waltz, 38, were arrested on October 21.
The couple also reportedly starved the children and ate in front of them, shaved their heads and told them they would die a horrible death, police said.
In addition to the children being regularly restrained, police said the couple is also accused of gagging the girl with socks and assaulting the boy with a cane, a wood 2-by-4 and a guitar.
The boy also suffered abuse to his genitals.
The couple has been charged with nine counts of felony assault, second-degree felonies, six counts of kidnapping, first-degree felonies, and seven counts of child endangering, second-degree felonies.
Earlier this month, both Meachem and Waltz pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment.
They are being held in the Muskigum County jail on $500,000 bond.
If convicted on all charges, they could be looking at a nearly 200-year prison sentence, according to the Record.
The children have reportedly been removed from the home where they suffered the abuse.
Authorities were first contacted about abuse in the Ohio home in late September, according to reports.
An investigation was launched by Muskingum County Children's Services department on September 28.