Michael and Sharen Gravelle lost custody of 11 kids they had in their foster home Monday. They are accused of abusing their 11 adopted special-needs children by making them sleep in cages.
The Gravelles deny abusing the children, ages 1 to 15, and say the beds were necessary to protect the youngsters, who suffered from psychological and behavioral problems.
Most of the 40-inch-high, 30-inch-wide kinder-coops had chicken wire to prevent the kids from escaping. Another had two pieces of wood across the entrance door to prevent it from being opened without the Gravelles’ knowledge.
Michael Gravelle claimed that “a licensed social worker” as well as an adoption agency told the Gravelles to build the enclosures to prevent the children from eating “batteries, clothes, blankets, mattresses, wood, carpets, chemicals and anything they could obtain,” which they had previously done.
Jesse Gravelle (pictured right) testified that his father sat him and his brother down when they were youngsters after Jenna left home and “told us that he had inappropriately touched her.”
Jenna Gravelle, 31 year old daughter claims, claims they (children) weren’t allowed to use their washing machine and dryer. The parents wouldn’t buy them food or clothing. Her little brother had rubber bands keeping his shoes together.
A school-age child of the Gravelles also testified in court that he and his siblings would be punished if they opened the doors at night and set off the alarms. He said he was forced to sleep in a bathtub for 81 days after he wet his enclosure. He said the Gravelles forced him to stay in his “box” for up to two weeks for taking peanut butter, bread and cereal from the kitchen. But he said he liked the couple and felt safe in their home.
The Family Defense Network of Ohio has published video interviews with the Gravelle’s and is reportedly helping raise contributions for them. In this video, Sharen talks about what she was thinking about when the children were removed from and home and references Matthew 18 [verse 10] and talks about angels looking after the kids. She says: “Lord, I bet your angels are busy today.”
MSNBC story