IN- Former married couple,Brian Stafford and Sonja Stafford, charged with more than 50 crimes- adopted children -incl child trafficking, 26 Dec 2024

[legalmomma]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1872353418737783160

BREAKING: Here are the mugshots of the 2 Morgan County residents charged with more than 50 crimes and sexual crimes against children they adopted. 8 years ago the Staffords were featured in a local newspaper article titled “Joy times eleven: Stafford family fills empty nest by adopting children.”According to the state their home was anything but happy. “The facts of this case are particularly heinous and demonstrate that the Defendant poses a serious risk to the victims and the community. The State of Indiana would highlight that the Defendant and his co-Defendant took vulnerable children into their home only to exploit and abuse them.The co-defendant forced all of the children to work and ensured their compliance by strangling, punching, slapping them, and depriving them of basic human needs like food and clothing. Notonly did the Defendant know this was happening, but he exploited the situation by molesting nearly every girl who lived in their home, sometimes shortly after the co-defendant was violent with the girls. The co-defendant forced all of the children to lie to Department of Child Services(DCS) about the molest and the violence in the home under threat of violence, separation, and more.”


Article referenced: times eleven: Stafford family fills empty nest by adopting children

Joy times eleven: Stafford family fills empty nest by adopting children

After their two biological children left the house to begin their adult lives, Martinsville residents Sonja and Brian Stafford were left with a big house, plenty of farmland, and no one to fill it.

www.reporter-times.com

MARTINSVILLE

After their two biological children left the house to begin their adult lives, Martinsville residents Sonja and Brian Stafford were left with a big house, plenty of farmland, and no one to fill it.

Instead of enjoying peace and quiet and believing her job was done after raising her two children, Sonja Stafford was seeking something more — 11 more to be exact.

In the past five years, Stafford has adopted 11 children, most from Florida. They range in age from 5 to 17. She homeschools them all.

Now feels like she’s meeting the purpose she was meant to fulfill.
...

MyCase: Brian Stafford: He got bond this low!
Indiana Courts Case Search - MyCase

Court Sets Bond $60,000 ps $4,000 cash​

Charges​

35-42-4-3(a)/F1: Child Molesting where def. is at least 21 years of age.

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/FDPerformance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/FDPerformance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-42-4-5(c)(3)/F6: Performing Sexual Conduct in the Presence of a Minor touch or fondle oneself in

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-42-4-3(b)/FC: Child Molesting

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-42-4-3(b)/FC: Child Molesting

35-42-4-3(b)/F4: Child Molesting Fondling or touching with child under 14.

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/FD Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/FD Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/FD Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-49-3-3(a)(4)/F6: Performance Before a Minor That Is Harmful to Minors

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(2)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. abandons or cruelly confines the dependent

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbor

 

[legalmomma]

Sonja Stafford MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search - MyCase

Hearing Journal Entry Sonja Stafford appears via Zoom with counsel. Mr. Sonnega appears for the State of Indiana. Detective Sergeant Patrick Williams appears from the Morgan County Sheriffs Department. Counsel waives formal reading of charges, rights, and possible penalties. Initial Hearing held. Court grants the State's request to deviate from pretrial matrix. Bond set in the amount of $60,000.00 ps $4,000.00. Court issues all eleven No Contact Orders. Judicial Officer: Iacoli, Terry E - MAG, Jr. Hearing Date: 12/26/2024​

Charges​

Show all charge details

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-42-2-9(c)/F6: Strangulation

35-42-2-1.3(a)(1)/F6: Domestic Battery on a Person Less than 14 Years Old Domestic Battery committe

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-42-2-1.3(a)/MA: Domestic Battery

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(2)/F5: Neglect of a Dependent the abandonment or cruel confinement deprived a depende

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F5: Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury resulting in bodily injury

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-2-9(c)/F6: Strangulation

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-2-1.3(a)(1)/MA: Domestic Battery

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-2-1.3(a)(1)/MA: Domestic Battery

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-45-2-1(a)(2)/FC: Intimidation where def. draws or uses a deadly weapon

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-42-2-1.3(a)(1)/MA: Domestic Battery

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/FD: Neglect Of Dependent-Depndnt Put In Situation Endangering Depndnts Life/Health

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F6: Neglect of a Dependent def. places dependent in situation that endangers the dep

35-44.1-2-2(a)(1)(A)/F5: Obstruction of Justice

35-42-2-1(b)(1)/F5: Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

35-46-1-4(a)(1)/F5: Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury resulting in bodily injury

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/FB: Promotion of Human Trafficking (forced labor)

35-42-3.5-1(a)(1)/F4: Promotion of Human Trafficking def. knowingly or intentionally recruits, harbo

 

[legalmomma]

https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/docs-couple-faces-50-charges-each-for-alleged-treatment-of-children/

MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. — A Morgan County pair was charged after allegedly committing ‘heinous’ acts against children including molestation, neglect, and human trafficking for approximately 13 years.

Brian Stafford, 60, is charged with 59 counts including child molesting, promotion of human trafficking, and neglect of a dependent.

Sonja Stafford faces 62 counts of criminal misconduct including neglect of a dependent, human labor trafficking, strangulation and more.
...

 

[legalmomma]

Morgan County couple face over 100 combined child molestation, trafficking charges - Daily Journal

By Michaela Springer, WISH-TV

dailyjournal.net

Prosecutors on Thursday filed charges against Brian and Sonja Stafford, both 60, for 121 combined counts relating to child molestation, strangulation, and multiple other acts against children dating as far back as 2011.

Court documents list Brian Stafford as being from New Castle. Sonja Stafford is listed as being from Plainfield. Online court records show both had initial hearings on Thursday in Morgan Superior Court 2 in Martinsville.

A timeline listed in court documents detail the crimes committed against at least 11 victims in Morgan County, without providing a specific location. The relationships between the victims and the Staffords was not clear.

Brian Stafford’s 59 felony counts include accusations he personally molested four victims who were younger than 14.

Sonja, facing 58 felony counts plus four misdemeanors for domestic battery, is not facing charges for molestation. But prosecutors claim she strangled child victims by the throat. She’s accused of stopping at least eight of the victims from giving information to police in June of 2020.

The Staffords next court date was set for March. A jury trial was scheduled June 3, although Indiana courts routinely reschedule trial dates.

 

[legalmomma]

Morgan Co. couple charged with human trafficking once celebrated for adopting

Morgan County couple faces 120 charges for human trafficking, neglect, and molestation. Once celebrated for adopting 11 children.

www.wishtv.com

MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — The Morgan County couple facing more than 120 combined charges including human trafficking, neglect, and molestation, were once celebrated for their decision to adopt.

As I-Team 8 reported Thursday, Brian and Sonja Stafford were charged for dozens of crimes involving 11 victims, beginning in 2011 and spanning for more than a decade.

In 2016, they were the subject of a feature story in a local newspaper covering their adoption of 11 children, mostly from Florida. At the time of the article, the children ranged from 5 to 17 years old.

 

[legalmomma]

Morgan County couple face over 100 combined child molestation, trafficking charges

Morgan County couple faces over 50 charges each for child molestation, human trafficking, and neglect of a dependent.

www.wishtv.com

Sonja, facing 58 felony counts plus four misdemeanors for domestic battery, is not facing charges for molestation. But prosecutors claim she strangled child victims by the throat. She’s accused of stopping at least eight of the victims from giving information to police in June of 2020.

 

[cocomod]

Morgan County couple face over 100 combined child molestation, trafficking charges

Morgan County couple faces over 50 charges each for child molestation, human trafficking, and neglect of a dependent.

www.wishtv.com

Prosecutors say the Staffords will only be released on bail if they have been served with no contact orders.

Sonja and Brian filed for divorce in May, which was finalized in November. It was filed as “Domestic Relations with Children,” and there was a parenting classes order in the divorce agreement.

 

[tlcya]

Brian Stafford's old FB page (no entries and created in 2014)

 

[legalmomma]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1881838572841414705

We have new information regarding the Morgan County residents charged with more than 50 crimes and sexual crimes against children they adopted.

I first told you about Brian and Sonja Stafford in December.

Law-enforcement says they took vulnerable children into their home only to exploit and abuse them by molesting them, strangling, punching, slapping them, and depriving them of basic human needs like food and clothing.

When our team, specifically @MaxLewisTV , attempted to get the probable cause in this case, they told us that one did not exist because it was done orally. He went to the State Supreme Court to get access.

Well, tomorrow morning at 9 AM that PC/ transcript will be released. Of course, victim’s names will be redacted and we will protect their privacy unless they come forward wanting their voices heard.

The release will be followed by a 2 p.m. news conference at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and we will be there.

 

[tlcya]

I will have to try to remember to circle back so I can get this afternoon's update. TY @legalmomma

 

[TTF14]

Indiana is so dark .

 

[modesty blaise]

Prosecutors say the Staffords will only be released on bail if they have been served with no contact orders.

Sonja and Brian filed for divorce in May, which was finalized in November. It was filed as “Domestic Relations with Children,” and there was a parenting classes order in the divorce agreement.

Parenting classes for these two depraved individuals is wild! Who are they going to parent in the future?

 

[Indy_ar]

Indiana is so dark .

Not particularly more than other states (I live in Indiana )

 

[TTF14]

Not particularly more than other states (I live in Indiana )

Just seems like soooo many more cases of child abuse, especially SA, happen there. Or maybe LE is just better at catching them so we hear about it more.

 

[Indy_ar]

Just seems like soooo many more cases of child abuse, especially SA, happen there. Or maybe LE is just better at catching them so we hear about it more.

I remember when it used to be Florida. I don't see much more of SA cases in general but I guess that there are ups and downs on every state

 

[TwoBlueJays]

WTHR Indianapolis
Adopted daughter impregnated, children go days without eating | Court docs uncover accusations in Morgan County case

A man and a woman are facing more than 120 charges combined in a Morgan County case.
The 155-page probable cause affidavit became available Wednesday, Jan. 22, revealing new details in the case.
Sonja Stafford, 60, who now lives in Plainfield, is facing 62 charges, including promotion of human trafficking, strangulation, domestic battery, neglect of a dependent and obstruction of justice.
Brian Stafford, 60, who now lives in New Castle, is facing 59 charges, including child molesting, promotion of human trafficking, neglect of a dependent, performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor and performance before a minor that is harmful to minors.

Here's a list of accusations uncovered in the filing:

• According to court documents, the Staffords had 33 children in their home over 13 years.
• According to the detective, a lot of the girls said they were sexually abused by Brian and were physically abused by Sonja.
• The detective said one of the children in the home died by suicide in 2004.
• Court documents say the Staffords put alarms on the children's doors, so they would know when they would try to leave their rooms.
• According to court documents, Brian impregnated one of the girls when she was 18 years old.
• According to court documents, the children said they worked on the property from sun-up to sun-down – with some time to do schoolwork – and had a point system for discipline. In order to get points removed, the children said they could skip meals, run around the property or do extra chores.
• One of the children told the detective that she saw Sonja throw another child down a hill and roll her through cow manure. The child also said Sonja would grab some of the kids' faces and squeeze, which resulted in scratches and injuries on their faces.
• According to court documents, the children said they would not get bath products to use, as a form of punishment, and were only allowed to shower on Wednesdays and Sundays.
• The children described holidays to the detectives. According to the children, if someone brought them a gift, Sonja would take the gifts and lock them up and not allowed to have them.
• According to court documents, Sonja told the children to lie to DCS workers about what was going on at the property — allegedly threatening them that they would be separated and never see their siblings again if they told the truth.
• Court documents say Brian sexually abused one of the girls when she was 7 years old, while abusing multiple girls when they were underage.
• Some of the children told the detective about frostbite they got since they weren't given proper clothing to wear during the winter.
• One of the girls told the detective that Sonja strangled her, with Sonja allegedly telling her, "The more you fight, the more I'm going to do it."
• According to court documents, one of the children said she saw Sonja throw one of the kids in a pond on the property — even though the kid didn't know how to swim.
• According to court documents, one of the children cried the night she was adopted by the couple, saying she missed her biological mother. That's when she said Sonja smacked her in the face and said, "She's not your mother anymore. I'm your mother."
• One of the girls said as a form of punishment, the longest she went without food was five days. One of the boys said at one point, he only had one can of sardines across three days.
• The children told the detective about other forms of punishment, including getting paddled and writing thousands of sentences.
• According to court documents, one of the boys said when he was 14 years old, he tried to run away but stayed on the property. The boy said Sonja found him and pointed a shotgun at him and told him to "get the * off the property." That boy was then sent to a boarding school.
• Court documents say one of the boys said he weighed 230 pounds when he was adopted by the couple. When he left at 18 years old, he said he was approximately 125 pounds.
• One of the children said she ate a moldy cake that she was supposed to take to chickens, but she ate it herself because she was so hungry and never had that type of food.
• According to court documents, Brian moved to New Castle with the adopted daughter – who is now an adult – who he impregnated and has since had their baby.
• The detective spoke with a witness, who described the children as being treated like slaves, explaining how they were always working while he was there.
• One of the children told the detective the Staffords were getting divorced, with both being in new relationships. However, Brian was in a relationship his adopted daughter. The divorce has since been finalized.
• Sonja allegedly spoke with the case manager, who said Sonja appeared drunk and found the whole situation humorous.
• An investigator with the Morgan County Prosecutor's Office said the Staffords received more than $270,000 for adopting the children between December 2016 and July 2024.

Both suspects had their initial hearings in Morgan County on Thursday, Dec. 26, where no contact orders were issued for 11 people. Bail was set for both suspects at $60,000 property or surety, plus $4,000 cash.



The Staffords' pretrial conferences are scheduled for March 31.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to contact Williams at pwilliams@morgancounty.in.gov or 765-349-5057.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 or 1-800-262-8477.

Morgan County is approximately 30 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis.

 

[amandab]

Anything I could possibly comment here would be advertiser censored.

 

[tlcya]

The Staffords next court date was set for March. A jury trial was scheduled June 3, although Indiana courts routinely reschedule trial dates.

The Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office will be holding a media availability at 2 p.m. Wednesday in hopes to determine if there are any other victims.
Martinsville couple charged with child neglect, molestation 'treated kids like slaves,' court docs say

impregnated one of his former child victims and is living with her as his girlfriend since he and Sonja separated. Jesus wept. 33 children passed through that household. 33 vulnerable children. Just makes the heart hurt. How many victims are still out there? Their lives forever altered by their bad luck of being housed with the Staffords

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The children reportedly were forced to operate under a punishment structure. The system, devised by Sonja, would withhold food from the children, beat them with a paddle, make them run laps, perform pushups, spend entire evenings in their room with no pillow or mattress and write Bible verses. Some of the children report writing up to 25,000 sentences or verses all through the night.

Sonja wouldn’t let the kids eat food because “she didn’t like wasting money on them,” she allegedly said.

https://www.kark.com/crime/indiana-couple-abused-33-kids-over-13-years-docs/

 

[legalmomma]

I also live in Indiana and I think a big issue here is DCS and low pay, lack of social workers to follow up on foster care, together with lack of adequate foster parents. Possibly not just an Indiana issue though. Sad, sad case.