West Virginia couple charged over years of abuse to orphaned children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 00:44 · Archive

A West Virginia couple has been charged with abusing three orphaned children in their home over several years.

Erica Lynn Sayre, 45, and her husband, Clifford Gale Sayre, 46, both of Evans, West Virginia, have been charged following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Erica Sayre faces three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury. Clifford Sayre faces three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury.

The three orphaned children told investigators they had endured years of abuse in the home. They described being repeatedly struck and strangled, deprived of food and water, and denied access to the bathroom. Authorities alleged soiled cat litter was dumped in their beds, dog faeces was placed on their belongings, and they were forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as punishment. One child described being struck in the head with an electronic device, causing a bleeding injury for which she was denied medical treatment. The children were also allegedly forced to put a soiled sock in their mouths and subjected to having their hair forcibly cut.

During interviews, one child became emotional and told investigators, 'I can't go back to that home', while another said she 'just wants a normal life'. The children's accounts corroborated one another and were consistent with scars found on their bodies. Investigators alleged that Clifford Sayre witnessed repeated abuse but failed to intervene. The three children have been removed from the home.

How it is being reported

• West Virginia couple charged after kids found in alleged ‘house of horrors’Authorities said the three children were removed from the home after investigators uncovered disturbing allegations of yearslong abuse and neglect.Fox News · 27 Oct, 00:16
• Vile couple put 3 orphaned kids through ‘prolonged physical and emotional abuse’ in West Virginia ‘house of horrors’: sheriff"I can't go back to that home,” one of kids told investigators.New York Post · 26 Oct, 17:02

In this story: Erica Lynn Sayre · Clifford Gale Sayre · Evans · West Virginia · Jackson County Sheriff's Department

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