Man admits to using shock collar on his kids

By KATU.com Staff

Summary

Police said Todd Marcum, 41, admitted to shocking all four of his children at least once because he thought it was funny.  He also told police he had fun chasing his 3-year-old son around with the collar and making him cry at the thought of being shocked.

Story Published: May 5, 2009 at 9:47 PM PST

Story Updated: May 5, 2009 at 9:48 PM PST

Man admits to using shock collar on his kids

SALEM, Ore. -- A Salem man accused of using a dog shock collar on his four children is facing criminal mistreatment charges.

Todd Marcum, 41, was arrested Tuesday and his children - ages 9, 8, 6 and 3 - are now in the custody of their mother. The case has also been referred to the Department of Human Services.

Investigators said Marcum admitted to putting an electronic dog collar on his four children and shocking all of them at least once because he thought it was funny. He said he also got a kick out of chasing his 3-year-old son around with the collar and making him cry at the thought of being shocked.

Marcum is being held at the Marion County jail on four counts of criminal mistreatment in the first-degree.

 

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