Parents abused kids in cages
2005-12-22 17:54
Norwalk - A couple abused some of their 11 adopted children by making them sleep in wooden cages without pillows or mattresses, a judge ruled on Thursday.
The special-needs children, who were removed from the home of Michael and Sharen Gravelle on September 9, will remain in foster care until Huron county juvenile Judge Timothy Cardwell holds another hearing to determine their future.
Cardwell's written ruling on Thursday also dismissed allegations that the Gravelles neglected the children.
The Gravelles have not been charged with a crime and have denied abusing the children. They say they built the cages in 2003 to protect the children from each other and themselves.
The children, ages one to 15, have health and behavioural problems such as foetal alcohol syndrome and a disorder which involves eating non-food items.
- AP