Couple arrested after children forced to dig ditches

Associate Press ^ | March 14, 2002 | A/P Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Couple arrested after children forced to dig ditches

03/14/2002

Associated Press

TYLER, Texas - Arrests of an East Texas couple followed accusations that they forced their four young children to dig ditches in subfreezing weather as punishment for sneaking food between meals.

Luis Guevera Sanchez, 31, and Melissa Dale Raynor, 32, were arrested last week in connection with felony child endangerment, Smith County Jail records show. Both were released this week after posting bond.

Child endangerment charges against the Lindale couple were forwarded Wednesday to the Smith County District Attorney.

The youngsters, ages 6, 10, 11 and 12, have been returned to the custody of their parents, but Child Protective Services is continuing to investigate, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph's Thursday editions.

The children were punished for dipping their fingers into jar of peanut butter and sneaking cookies between meals, investigators said.

A CPS report filed on the case indicated the children had been subjected to "bizarre punishment," authorities said Wednesday.

Lindale officials acting on a welfare concern March 2 found the youngsters alone at night, monitored only by an in-home surveillance system.

"The children have been exposed to extreme weather, they are malnourished, meals have been withheld," Precinct 5 Constable Dennis Taylor told the newspaper. "The parents used cameras to make sure the kids weren't disobeying."

Authorities found the children sitting motionless on the floor at various points in the house after their parents went to the movies.

The children told authorities Sanchez imposed a variety of punishments, including digging in a wooded creek bottom about 200 yards from the house.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/texassouthwest/stories/031402dntexcouplearrest.371ae.html

[MissAmericanPie]

Sanchez? Any relation to the Sanchez that is going to be the next Texas governor?

[Junior]

My parents ultimately had five sons spread over 13 years. I suppose if my dad did not have a sense of humor he would've gone off the deep end.

[Boxsford]

Indeed. It sounds like you had a really good father. How blessed you are!

[Boxsford]

lol! I have never heard that one before but I think you may be onto something with it. Interesting comment.

[Boxsford]

Oh, the power of a woman!! That's a great memory you have there. You write really well, too.

[rockfish59]

well, that's 200 grand a year before taxes.
only the government's getting rich!!