PA - Parents charged w/abusing five adopted children; Graphic punishments; Annville; 13 Jan 2021

[JudgeJudi]

The children told officials that SD was the primary culprit for the abuse, but RD did participate in abusive conduct. I thought it was the other way around and that she was enabling him. This explains why she’s been charged with more counts than RD.

DA Graf specifically wanted to know who the children blamed most for the horrific abuse. When sentencing RD, Judge Charles said, “With consistency, the children reported that SD was the primary culprit.”

Stephanie Duncan pleads guilty in torture of five adopted children

 

[everybodhi]

The children told officials that SD was the primary culprit for the abuse, but RD did participate in abusive conduct. I thought it was the other way around and that she was enabling him. This explains why she’s been charged with more counts than RD.

DA Graf specifically wanted to know who the children blamed most for the horrific abuse. When sentencing RD, Judge Charles said, “With consistency, the children reported that SD was the primary culprit.”

Stephanie Duncan pleads guilty in torture of five adopted children

The mother from hell.

Duncan faces up to 288 years in prison and $65,000 in fines at her sentencing hearing.

Stephanie Duncan's sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 22.

 

[JudgeJudi]

SD was the primary abuser and she pleaded guilty to all of the charges against her.

DA Graf has been in contact with the 5 children. She said they’re all handling their trauma in different ways, but LD in particular is struggling, and is suffering from a great deal of psychological issues.

She said because the children were so abused, it was important to give them some say in the pleas. It’s about victim empowerment, and trying to teach the children that there are adults who care for them and respect them, and to show the children they now have some control over their lives and their futures.

The children agreed that RD failed to protect them and did nothing to stop the abuse, though he did take a bigger role in it when the pandemic started and he was at home more often.

Graf said, “These are children they sought out and brought into their home. They are child victims who are wholly dependent on their abusers.”

And the reason for the abuse? It was money, DA Graf said.

She said the Duncans had applied for and received government funding to help support their five adopted children, but instead of using the money to take care of them, they spent it to support their lifestyle. As an example, at the house, DA Graf noticed a package on the counter that had come from a gourmet chocolate monthly subscription. She asked the children if they ever had the chocolate for a treat, and they told her that all of the treats like chocolate and ice cream were for the “parents”, while they were rationed out their food and water. She said that’s a very small example of the control and abuse.

‘Horrific’ abuse against 5 children leads to guilty plea from Pa. adoptive mother

 

[JudgeJudi]

Published 22 December, 2021

Stephanie Duncan has been sentenced to 17 to 47 years in prison for beating, torturing and neglecting her five adopted children.

Judge Charles imposed that penalty less than a year after county detectives charged her and husband with treating the children like unwanted animals.

Charles also barred Stephanie Duncan from having any contact with children.

“The level of abuse, torture and emotional neglect the (Duncans) inflicted is beyond comprehension,” DA Graf said. She said the couple viewed the children only as tools to secure financial benefits.

Stephanie Duncan had no deal regarding her sentencing. Her husband was sentenced to 6 to 30 years in prison in October after taking a plea deal, court records show.

Pa. mom gets up to 47 years in prison for brutal torture of 5 adopted kids

It's my sincere hope that she is made to serve out her entire sentence. She showed no mercy to her children and the Parole Board should show her no leniency whatsoever regarding an early release from prison. Karma.

 

[mickey2942]

The government needs to stop with the cash incentives to adopt children. This reduces children to being "checks". The "intent" was to remove poverty as a barrier for adoption.

The more I see about foster care and adoption, the more I think that these children would be better off in residential schools/government institutions.

Yes, those had a bad reputation. But the "solution" hasn't been any better.

 

[Baciagalupo]

Or at least if parents get money then you have to regularly check on the children at least 4 times a year.
I really don't understand why communities have no problem giving police huge budgets but are not willing to spend more on children welfare services.

 

[Mauig’ma]

I can’t believe people can do this to another human being. I really struggle to understand it. I couldn’t hit an animal even once let alone a defenseless child. These people if we can call them that need the same punishment they inflicted on each child they abused. Karma can’t come fast enough. God bless these kids. I’m praying for them.