Couple accused of starving, beating kids posts bail
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) - A Longview couple accused of abusing their five adopted children has posted bail
The Daily News reports a Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge found probable cause Friday to charge the couple, Jeffrey Allen Trebilcock and Rebecca Lynn Trebilcock, with starving and abusing a boy and four girls.
Court documents say the children, between ages 8 and 13, were notably underweight when the state took them from their adoptive parents and placed them in foster homes on March 8.
Authorities note that the Trebilcocks' three biological children, who also lived in the home, are average to overweight for their size. And the report says the parents are overweight as well.
The couple, arrested Thursday afternoon, are expected to be charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment, third-degree assault and four counts of second-degree criminal mistreatment. Evans ordered the Trebilcocks to stay away from their children.
The suspected abuse came to light in the first week of March, when the couple's 13-year-old adopted boy was treated at Doernbecher Children's Hospital for several broken ribs, severe malnutrition, hypothermia and other ailments. He was placed into protective custody.
Police said the boy was only 4 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 49 pounds.
Four adopted girls, ages 11, 12, 10 and eight were also found to be underweight and neglected, according to a doctor. They were placed into protective custody a week after the 13-year-old.
The children told detectives their adoptive parents put an alarm in the kitchen that went off if the children went to get food. They were hit with a wooden board if they did.
The 13-year-old boy said he was beaten on the buttocks to the point blood would flow down his leg. The children also said they were sprayed with water and made to stand on the porch soaked.
Since they couldn’t get any food in the house, the children reported they had to eat dog and goat food and dandelion leaves.
Since May 12 the children have gained significant amounts of weight, police said.
The sheriff’s office says it doesn't know what motivated the parents to neglect their adoptive children.
Neighbors of the family say the couple is being wrongly accused and that the 13-year-old boy has fabricated stories.
The Daily News reports a Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge found probable cause Friday to charge the couple, Jeffrey Allen Trebilcock and Rebecca Lynn Trebilcock, with starving and abusing a boy and four girls.
Court documents say the children, between ages 8 and 13, were notably underweight when the state took them from their adoptive parents and placed them in foster homes on March 8.
Authorities note that the Trebilcocks' three biological children, who also lived in the home, are average to overweight for their size. And the report says the parents are overweight as well.
The couple, arrested Thursday afternoon, are expected to be charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment, third-degree assault and four counts of second-degree criminal mistreatment. Evans ordered the Trebilcocks to stay away from their children.
The suspected abuse came to light in the first week of March, when the couple's 13-year-old adopted boy was treated at Doernbecher Children's Hospital for several broken ribs, severe malnutrition, hypothermia and other ailments. He was placed into protective custody.
Police said the boy was only 4 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 49 pounds.
Four adopted girls, ages 11, 12, 10 and eight were also found to be underweight and neglected, according to a doctor. They were placed into protective custody a week after the 13-year-old.
The children told detectives their adoptive parents put an alarm in the kitchen that went off if the children went to get food. They were hit with a wooden board if they did.
The 13-year-old boy said he was beaten on the buttocks to the point blood would flow down his leg. The children also said they were sprayed with water and made to stand on the porch soaked.
Since they couldn’t get any food in the house, the children reported they had to eat dog and goat food and dandelion leaves.
Since May 12 the children have gained significant amounts of weight, police said.
The sheriff’s office says it doesn't know what motivated the parents to neglect their adoptive children.
Neighbors of the family say the couple is being wrongly accused and that the 13-year-old boy has fabricated stories.
