MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – Authorities recently arrested a couple on suspicion of child abuse and torture.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, on May 29, officials executed a search warrant at a home in the Norris Run neighborhood. They were looking into allegations of abuse involving several children.
During the search, authorities discovered “confinement evidence,” including crates, cages, and closets, as well as surveillance equipment such as cameras, audio devices, and soundproofing, according to WDBJ-TV.
Investigators reportedly discovered signs of “nutritional neglect.” The fridge was allegedly empty or locked, the food had gone bad, and the kitchen storage was lockable. The children allegedly claimed that their parents kept the house hot and locked up food to prevent them from taking any.
WDBJ reported that the boys shared a cot and a pile of pillows in their room. The girl’s room reportedly contained water jugs and a padlock on the door.
According to WDBJ, the Blacksburg Police Department notified a social services worker in May about a 14-year-old girl at home who went to school with a bruised and black eye. She allegedly told a teacher that she was beaten for not cleaning a chicken coop properly. The girl claimed that her mother, 42-year-old Rachel Wakefield, slapped her and her father, 48-year-old Terry Wakefield, hit her repeatedly.
The girl reportedly told officials that she was sometimes held in solitary confinement. According to WDBJ, her brothers were placed in “extended timeouts” that ranged from a few minutes to days.
The victims’ parents reportedly refused to cooperate with the investigation, with Terry Wakefield allegedly yelling, playing loud music, and threatening to sue everyone involved.
According to WDBJ, investigators discovered previous contacts with child protective services in other states, including North Carolina, where there was evidence of domestic violence in the home.
The sheriff’s office arrested Rachel and Terry Wakefield on charges of child torture, abuse/neglect, and domestic assault. They are still held without bond.
Authorities stated that all three children are safe and have been placed in the foster care system.
