TRENTON, Tennessee (AP) -- A couple facing criminal abuse charges forced some of their 18 foster, adopted and biological children -- many of them disabled -- to dig their own graves, warning the youngsters they could be killed and nobody would care, according to investigative documents.
A search warrant affidavit released in the case against Thomas and Debra Schmitz also alleges that the children were beaten, locked in a cage and punished by having their eyeglasses, leg braces or crutches taken away.
A home care nurse told authorities the "children were forced to dig their own graves" and told by the couple "they could be killed and buried in the back yard and no one will care," according to the affidavit.
The nurse said she saw two children, ages 8 and 10, forced to sleep in a locked metal cage without a mattress or blankets. The youngsters were "curled in a fetal position in the cage," the affidavit said.
Debra Schmitz, 44, was charged on June 22 with three counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of child abuse; Thomas Schmitz, 45, was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of child abuse.
The Schmitzes, who were investigated on similar accusations four years ago in the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area, moved to this town 85 miles northeast of Memphis in 2000. They were not charged in that case.
They have denied wrongdoing and, on legal advice, have refused interview requests since their arrest.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/07/....ap/index.html
What is the world coming too?
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