An Alabama couple was arrested Thursday night after allegedly using a blowtorch to severely burn young children.
WDHN reports that Ashleigh Ableman, 27, and Howard Anderson, 53, have been charged with one count each of torture/willful abuse of a child, in connection with alleged abuse involving Ableman’s three children.
According to Dale County jail records, deputies with the Dale County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant October 8 at the suspects’ home after a neighbor contacted them concerning a suspicious person case, which turned into a child abuse investigation.
Investigators determined that the children had been punished with a blow torch and showed other signs of ongoing abuse. All three children were under the age of 12 and investigators said they had been burned several times with the blow torch.
“The children did disclose some allegations,” Lieutenant Caroline Jackson said. “There was obvious marks of abuse on the children.”
“This is a case of obvious torture to these children.”
Both suspects are currently being held behind bars without bail.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Howard Anderson and Ashley Ableman/ Dale County Sheriff’s Office]
