Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you suspect a child is being abused, find out how to report it in your state here. To connect with a counselor, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4253.
Three people in San Bernardino County have been arrested in connection with the alleged ongoing torture of six foster children between the ages of 5 to 16, authorities announced Tuesday evening.
In a news release, officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Crimes Against Children Details launched an investigation into “severe and prolonged abuse and neglect” at a home in the 13000 block of Helena Drive in Victorville.
Authorities said that during the investigation, 60-year-old Kenneth Key, 60-year-old Tina Key and 23-year-old Katlynn Key were identified as suspects.
Neighbors on the street, who did not want to be identified, told affiliate KTLA that they rarely saw the six children, except occasionally when they got into the family car.
“Other than that, these kids never came outside like normal kids. They were only allowed to go to the backyard,” one woman added.
Officials said at the conclusion of their investigation, all three suspects were arrested and booked at the Central Detention Center for torture. Bail was set at $1 million apiece, authorities added.
Details of the ongoing abuse and neglect of the children were not released.
“Any kind of child abuse or neglect going in a home, whether it’s a biological home, a family home, foster home, reach out and report that,” SBCSD spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said. “We would much rather do an investigation and find that everything is just fine in that home than find out several years later that there was some abuse.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Detective Katie Merrill of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at 909-890-4904.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78CRIME or leave tips online at www.wetip.com.
