FAIRFIELD, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on charges filed against California father accused of torturing children (all times local):
4 p.m.:
Prosecutors say they will file nine counts of felony child abuse against the California mother of 10 children who officials say suffered long-term abuse in a filthy home.
Solano County Deputy District Attorney Veronica Juarez filed a notice with the court Tuesday in the case against 31-year-old Ina Rogers. She’s scheduled to appear in court on the new charges Wednesday.
The charges allege that Rogers caused the children to be in a situation that was likely to produce great bodily injury and death.
Rogers told reporters Monday that the allegations against her and her husband are false.
The children’s father, 29-year-old Jonathan Allen, pleaded not guilty to torture and child cruelty charges and is being held on $5.2 million bail.
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2:45 p.m.
The California father charged with torturing his 10 children says he is “not an animal” and he’s confident he will be acquitted.
Jonathan Allen told KCRA-TV from Solano County Jail on Tuesday that the children have been brainwashed into thinking they were abused.
The children are ages 4 months to 12 years and were removed from his Fairfield, California, home after police found them living in filthy conditions.
Allen said his German shepherd puppy destroyed the bathrooms but the household functions well with the older kids helping with the younger ones.
He said he wants to tell the children he loves them.
Allen was booked into jail on seven counts of felony torture and nine counts of felony child abuse. His bail remains at $5.2 million.
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2:10 p.m.
It’s unclear whether any California government agencies had an opportunity to intervene in the years authorities claim 10 children suffered “horrific” abuse inside their suburban home.
Their mother, 31-year-old Ina Rogers, told reporters that social services interviewed the kids three years ago but nothing came of the visit and her children were returned to her.
A lawyer for Solano County child welfare officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Solano County authorities say the children suffered puncture wounds, burns, bruising and injuries consistent with being shot with a pellet gun.
Rogers said she homeschooled the children, but there is no record she registered with the state as required by law.
Their father, 29-year-old Jonathan Allen, pleaded not guilty to charges of torture and child cruelty charges and is being held on $5.2 million bail.
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12 a.m.
A California woman denies her husband abused their 10 children, who were removed from the home after authorities said the kids suffered puncture wounds, burns and other injuries.
Ina Rogers of Fairfield told reporters Monday that she called authorities in March after her 12-year-old son didn’t come home. Nine other children were found living in what police call squalid and unsafe conditions. The children were removed from their home on March 31.
Authorities say the children’s father, 29-year-old Jonathan Allen, has pleaded not guilty to torture and child cruelty charges.
Rogers, who was arrested for neglect last month, says the home only looked messy because she tore it apart searching for her son.
Court records do not indicate whether the parents have lawyers.
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