The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) have arrested and charged a couple living in southeast Edmonton, along with a third adult male family member, with 104 charges in relation to allegations of physical and emotional abuse of their children and pets for many years.
The investigation began on Dec. 1st when a report of child abuse was made about the family. The seven children between the ages of two and 13 were removed from the home on the same day.
On Dec. 4th, the children were interviewed by investigators at the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, where it was revealed that the children were frequently beaten, strangled and malnourished. It was also alleged that the father subjected them to very harsh punishments.
The investigation also revealed that one of the five family dogs was frequently hit with a broom handle, and poked while it was in its cage.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Tebb of the EPS Child Protection Section says that “without question, this is one of the most disturbing cases of child abuse that our Child Protection investigators have ever seen. These children have been subjected to years of physical and emotional pain, dysfunction that no child should have to deal with in their lives”.
The children are now safe and have been placed in foster care, and the dogs have been removed from the home. The names of the three arrested and charged individuals will not be released to protect the identity of the children.
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