Couple and Their Adult Daughter Charged with Torturing 6 Foster Children

A couple from Victorville, California, and their adult daughter who took in children as foster children were charged with child abuse and torture on Wednesday. The charges came after years of what the police said was physical, emotional, and mental abuse.

Six counts of torture and one count of child abuse were brought against Tina Marie Sheffield Key, 60, Kenneth Michael Key, 60, and their 23-year-old daughter Kaitlynn Marresa Key. One count of torture was brought against each of the six children in their care.

The arraignment is set for May 15. There was no quick word on whether the three suspects have a lawyer who could speak for them.

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday that the kids were arrested. They are between the ages of 4 and 16. They were taken to the Central Detention Center and given a $1 million bail.

In a complaint made Wednesday, prosecutors said the kids had been abused for years, with daily beatings and being strangled so hard that they were unconscious. The children were punished by not being able to eat or drink for days, according to the district attorney’s office.

Information about what led to the arrests of the suspects was not released right away.

Anyone with knowledge about the case was asked to call 909-890-4904 and talk to the police. You can give information on the We-Tip website even if you don’t want to be known.