Inset, left to right: Patricia Gwaltney and Dustin Gwaltney (Cleveland County Detention Center). Background: The Cleveland County Detention Center in Oklahoma (Google Maps).
A mother and father in Oklahoma are accused of "severely" abusing their two children, allegedly starving and beating the kids before they were able to run away and get help.
Patricia A. Gwaltney and Dustin B. Gwaltney were arrested this week over the alleged abuse of their children. Patricia Gwaltney is facing seven counts of child abuse and two counts of child neglect, while Dustin Gwaltney is facing one count of child abuse, court records show.
According to a news release from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, the investigation stemmed from concerns about the children's "significantly low weight relative to their age and height," as well as allegations of "physical abuse, the restriction of food, and the use of physical exercise and exertion as a form of punishment."
"This case is truly disturbing," Cleveland County Sheriff Darrell Weaver said in a statement following the arrests. "The safety and well-being of children is something we take very seriously. Our priority is to protect these children, remove them from situations where they may be at risk, and hold those responsible for abuse and neglect accountable."
Authorities did not state the number of victims or their ages, but Oklahoma City-based NBC affiliate KFOR reported that the couple had two children, ages 12 and 16.
According to court documents obtained by the station, the children's height-to-weight ratio was so drastic that they ranked "below the 1 percentile" for body mass index (BMI).
The kids reportedly ran away from home in late September and contacted a neighbor for help. Both children were reported "significantly underweight," with the 12-year-old weighing just 58 pounds.
The children also exhibited visible signs of physical abuse. Authorities allege that Patricia Gwaltney was the primary abuser, accusing her of punching, beating, starving and overworking the kids. The affidavit alleges that she "used a black belt with a silver buckle to hit the juveniles as well as used hard-soled shoes."
On at least one occasion, Dustin Gwaltney is accused of forcing one of the children to "get into [the] shower with clothes on under cold water as punishment."
Both defendants were booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center. Patricia Gwaltney is being held on $250,000 bond while her husband's bond was set at $50,000, records show. If they are released, both parents are prohibited from having contact with the victims.
Court records did not immediately show when the parents are scheduled to appear next.