A couple in West Virginia has been arrested after they allegedly tormented three orphans that were living with them with disturbing punishments and harassed them about their dead parents.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in a press release that Erica Lynn Sayre and Clifford Gale Sayre are facing multiple charges after an investigation was completed amid allegations of their prolonged physical and emotional abuse of three kids living with them.
Sheriff Ross Mellinger noted the children were “all living in a real life ‘House of Horrors’ with the adults in their lives that should have otherwise been protecting them from such occurrences and conditions, not creating them.”
Erica, 45, and Clifford, 46, allegedly tortured three orphaned children who had been living with them for several years after their parents died. The children range in ages 12 to 17.
“During a forensic interview, the children summarized the situation by stating, ‘Because mom hits us and Gale lets her’ and went on to describe being tormented and harassed about their deceased biological parents,” the JCSD said in the press release.
Authorities said that the investigation “uncovered allegations of many years of disturbing mistreatment, including children being repeatedly struck, strangled, deprived of food and water, denied bathroom privileges, dumping soiled cat litter in their beds and dog feces on personal items, and forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as means of punishment for any conflicts with Erica.”
The investigation also revealed that the children were allegedly struck with household objects, which caused them to suffer bleeding injuries.
The couple also allegedly placed “soiled” socks in the children’s mouths and “forcibly cut” their hair.
“One child described being struck in the head with an electronic device, causing a bleeding injury for which she was denied medical treatment,” authorities said. “One of the children was threatened to be killed if she contacted Child Protective Services.”
While speaking to police, one of the children “became visibly emotional” and said they couldn’t “go back to that home.” Meanwhile, another child said she suffered “years of alleged abuse” and said she “just wants a normal life.”
Once authorities had an evidence, Erica was charged with three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and three counts of child neglect creating a risk of injury and Clifford was charged with three counts of child neglect resulting in bodily injury and three counts of child neglect creating a risk of injury.
The sheriff’s office said that Child Protective Services was contacted about the alleged abuse, and the children were removed from the home.
“The outlined findings of the investigation are deeply troubling and underscore the importance of reporting suspected child abuse, as the children were all living in a real life ‘House of Horrors’ with the adults in their lives that should have otherwise been protecting them from such occurrences and conditions, not creating them,” Mellinger said in a statement on Monday, October 26.
It is not currently clear if Erica or Clifford have entered pleas or retained legal counsel following their arrests.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
