A couple from Missouri stands accused of confining two teenagers within a chicken coop and assaulting them with BB guns, as part of what authorities describe as a lengthy pattern of extreme mistreatment.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported that Chantel Spring Hayford, 38, and Jerry Allen Menees, both residents of Potosi, Missouri, were taken into custody on January 13th.
Menees faces a slew of charges, including two counts each of first-degree kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action, and child abuse or neglect. Additionally, he is charged with unlawful weapon use and three counts of first-degree domestic assault.
Hayford is charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of endangering a child’s welfare, four counts of child abuse or neglect, and two counts of first-degree domestic assault. Both remain in custody without the option for bail.
The allegations against Jerry Allen Menees include multiple felonies, with claims that two teenagers were confined and shot at with BB guns, amidst continuous abuse.
The investigation kicked off when the Division of Family Services notified deputies about suspected abuse and neglect involving the 13 and 14-year-old victims, prompting a search warrant and subsequent arrests.
According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, investigators detailed additional allegations in a probable cause statement and warrant application outlining what they described as repeated abuse involving the two teenagers.
Chantel Spring Hayford faces multiple felony charges after investigators say two teens were locked in a chicken pen, shot at with BB guns and subjected to prolonged abuse. (Washington County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators wrote that the children told authorities they were locked inside a chicken pen that was fastened shut and then shot at with BB guns during the alleged incident.
Court records further allege the children were threatened with real guns, including a handgun, and warned they would be shot if they spoke about the abuse.
A Missouri couple faces multiple felony charges after investigators say two teens were locked in a chicken pen, shot at with BB guns and subjected to prolonged abuse. (WJZY)
The warrant application also describes an alleged pattern of ongoing abuse and neglect, including repeated physical violence and intimidation and organized “fight nights” in which the children were allegedly forced to fight one another.
According to a probable cause statement, investigators said those allegations form the basis of the trafficking charges after an adult guardian reported the children came to her home seeking food. She later said their mother agreed to transfer custody of them in exchange for a cellphone and phone plan, an arrangement authorities said was documented through a power of attorney.
The guardian further told investigators the children were severely underweight when they arrived and had not been enrolled in school, with medical providers later determining they could not read or write, according to court records.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing and credited the Child Advocacy Center and the Washington County Division of Family Services for assisting in the case.
