Posted on 11/13/2007 6:34:38 PM PST by SmithL
TAZEWELL - A child abuse case that one investigator called the worst he's seen in a 35-year career was sent to a Claiborne County grand jury today, charging a man with using electric shock dog collars to control his two teenage daughters and with raping both girls.
The man is being held on $1 million bond on charges of aggravated child abuse and two counts of rape.
The Claiborne County Sheriff's Department began investigating in September when one of the man's 18-year-old daughters reported abuse to a school official. His wife is charged with aggravated child neglect failing to report child abuse. She is free on bond.
The man, who is a dog trainer, is accused of repeatedly using shock collars on his teenage daughters' legs to control them. The collars were activated by a push-button radio controller. It's the type of collar used to train hunting dogs and is generally more powerful than anti-bark collars or perimeter shock collars.
The family has five children ranging in age from 11 to 19, and a 15-year-old brother testified that his sisters would scream, lay on the floor and repeatedly plead with their father to stop activating the collars. The family kept about 30 bird-hunting dogs, which it trained using the same collars.
The 18-year-old wept during her testimony, explaining that her father had been raping her since was 12 or 13 years old.
She said she decided to report it to a school officer on Sept. 10, after her father used the collar on her neck for the first time.
The girl testified she was afraid that her father would kill her. She said he pantomimed shooting her and himself if she told anyone about the abuse.
A state prosecutor said authorities have been unable to locate her 19-year-old sister.
Claiborne County Sheriff's Capt. Sam Nelson, who investigated the case, testified that he told the older girl that she could go to prison if she had been witness to the events while she was an adult.
Nelson called it the worst case of child abuse he'd seen in 35 years in law enforcement.
Today's hearing began at 9 a.m. and ended after noon.
The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorneys general Amanda Sammons and Jared Effler of the 8th Judicial District.
The family's children, except for the missing 19-year-old, are in foster care.
The family is not being identified because the charges involve allegations of rape.
The neighbors always say that afterwards...
Only applies to middle names...
Bingo. And we have clear evidence that in this case the cop really *is* an idiot....
There is not a Hell hot enough for a person like this.
why would he say something like that? He needs to explain.
concerned that the older daughter is “missing.” could be foul play with her disappearance.
“Claiborne County Sheriff’s Capt. Sam Nelson, who investigated the case, testified that he told the older girl that she could go to prison if she had been witness to the events while she was an adult.”
More likely she'd had enough abuse at home, from the people who are at least supposed to love her, that she didn't want to stick around to see just how badly a malevolent government would treat her.
“My first thought exactly. This Sheriff’s Dept. Captain needs to be busted down a couple of stripes for that one.”
No. he needs to spend time in prison. as a police officer the last thing you want to do is threaten a victim with prison for witnessing their own and their sisters sexual abuse. He’s criminally incompetent and cruel. I hope the girl is found and is alright. Perhaps she and her sister can sue the psycopath Sam Nelson for mental abuse and anguish in order to help pay for their recovery.
“This is whats outrageous. The mother is just as guilty as the man and should be hung on the same gallows.”
You shouldn’t assume that is true. see #30
“Spare me son unless you have first hand knowledge of similar cases.I do.”
What exactly is your experience that gives you all knowing knowledge of this case especially the absolute the guilt of the mother? Unless you know them, you can’t know, and even if you do know them, you can’t know what went on inside the family when no one else was around. Spare us your useless conjecture.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I would bet the 19 year old was undergoing the same abuse and had escaped. If that is the case, I don't think she should be prosecuted if found.
And when punishing the father remember to remain civilized.Also the rate of recidivism is very low among executed criminals.
I call it accessory to extortion.
Very true.
Car battery. Jumper Cables. Testicles.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.