Husband gets 21 years, wife gets 20 in Vancouver abuse case
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VANCOUVER, Wash. – A Vancouver husband and wife convicted of starving and beating their adopted twins were sentenced to 21 and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Jeffrey Weller was sentenced to 21 years in prison. He was found guilty of 14 of the 16 second-, third- and fourth-degree assault charges and unlawful imprisonment charges.
Sandra Weller was sentenced to 20 years after she was found guilty of nine of the 10 second- and third-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment charges.
The prosecution asked the judge to sentence both Wellers to 20 years in prison, citing an "ongoing pattern of psychological or physical abuse."
Judge Barbara Johnson said the exceptional sentence was appropriate. He told the twins in court, "do not let these experiences destroy you."
Sandra Weller in February claimed the couple’s ex-partners framed them for the crimes.
Jurors heard during the four-day trial that the Wellers starved their teenage twins, only feeding them a porridge substance once a day. If the twins snuck food, they were beaten with a wooden board, prosecutors said.
Authorities recovered the board – which had a reddish brown substance on it consistent with blood spatter – and it was a key piece of evidence during the trial.
The twins, who were home-schooled, were adopted by Sandra Weller in California when they were two years old. The twins told police the abuse went on for as long as they could remember.
They were not allowed to leave their bedroom other than to do chores and occasionally eat. There was no clock or electricity in their bedroom. The window was locked as well, court documents said.
The case surfaced in 2011, when one of the twins snuck a note to a counselor detailing the abuse.
From what I've heard, prison isn't too fun for those who hurt children. That being said, I hope it's a living hell for both these monsters.Â
I am sickened by this crap.  I really hope their time behind the wall goes badly for the both of them.
authorities recovered the board, which had a reddish brown substance on it consistant with blood spatter. Well was it blood or not, there are people who can do tests and probably extract DNA. Reading a KOMO edited story leaves so much to your own imagination.
anyway, those two animals are going to a home where bubba and bubbette will see to their every needs. Â
When I hear these types of stories they literally makes me sick to my stomach. I have a beautiful 9 year old son and if anyone ever even attempted to harm him in any way there is no telling what I would do. I feel the same way about any child being hurt stranger or not. I can't even begin to imagine what these poor kids went thru on a day to day basis.
I must question something here. "Wellers starved their teenage twins, only feeding them a porridge substance once a day." and "one of the twins snuck a note to a counselor", Ok, so, am I to believe that the girls were seeing a counselor? If so, why was something not obvious prior?
Is it just me, or are we seeing these cases more and more where ADOPTED parents are starving, beating, neglecting, and imprisoning their adopted children?? It just makes me sick. These are people that elected to have these children. For what reason? Government checks? My heart goes out to these twins. I'm a bit thankful that they had eachother through this. I hope they will recover and be able to become positive members of society. Â
@bmoe1111Â I don't know what their motivation was to adopt these kids, but I do know people who have adopted and they in no way compare to these two. It's completely wrong to even consider comparing these animals to the loving, caring families who choose to adopt.
In no way am I comparing all adoptive parents to these pieces of waste. You misunderstood. What I'm questioning is why these parents CHOOSE to adopt if they dont want the children?
And just FYI, I was actually adopted at age 7 and my adopted parents were amazing parents in every way.
They should get the same treatment, but unfortunatley it would be considered "cruel and unusual punishment". Go figure....
Their dance cards are filling up fast.......have fun in da big house, you guys!!!
@vanceox13.5 years of solitary confinement. The only way they will survive within the walls. Â The other inmates will eat these two alive!
That's a joke! They will get out in 8 to 12 years and that children will have to live with her scars for the rest of their lives.
Good, that couple got exactly what they deserved. Â It's about time justice was served. Â There needs to be a lot harsher penalties in child abuse cases. Â The biological mom that gave them up for adoption only wanted the best for them, a lot better than what she was able to provide. Â Hopefully those kids, in time with Counseling, and support will be able to move on, and live happy, healthy, and productive lives.Â
I remember the very 1st article on KOMO. These two were smiling smugly. Not so smug now are they?Â
I still find it hard to fathom what those poor twins went through on a day to day basis, for YEARS. Very brave of the one twin to reach out for help knowing it could have brought dire consequences if caught. I hope they can find their way to having lives they each can enjoy.
Child abusers /murderers don't do well in prison. Even in protective custody, they are often at risk for abuse, extortion, and violence.
Here's hoping that a couple of their corrections officers take a few well timed smoke breaks to keep that tradition very much alive in the case of these two freakin' animals. May God forgive them, because I can not.
As for the adopted twins, it is difficult to say what will become of them. I hope they eventually find the love they deserve and didn't while they were members of Weller so-called 'family'.
Child abusers are just about as popular as child molestors in prision Have a fun 20 years if you make it that long, I hope not! What I like is a child abuser goes to general Population!
This is so sad for the children of these monsters. Â I hope the kids can all come to terms with what happened and move forward to a better life. Â Humanity....has spared them their lives. Â Prison may not be so kind. Â
@Joy Whitney Yep.... When they have to lay out their paperwork on the bunk for their cellmate the fun begins....
Doesn't sound as if they really liked kids. Why bother going through all the work to adopt them and then treat them poorly. Good riddance to the both of them.
its about kids needing A HOME AND A LIFE not parents that need income... SOO a monthly hour or two check up and PRIVATE  one on one with the child, hows it going? will curb that ? sure would help anyway? oh heaven forbid these people to think they r rightful in any manner. this is when kids will say the least of things.. so sad yet so can it be respectable. IF WE stop letting these kids fall in to the wrong hands.
@maggie112 That would be amazing if that would be put into action, i bet it would curb a lot of these people. Monthly hour or two check up......
I hate you.Â
@Hadrian Loathe what they did.... horrible. :(
No kids for you guys ever again! Prison is a good place for them both and I have no pity at all. A longer sentence would have been even better!