An Ohio mother and son faced charges in court on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in a deeply disturbing case of child abuse.
In June, a couple named Matthew and Charles Edmonson faced serious charges of child abuse after allegedly subjecting their five adopted children to torture. After a span of two weeks, authorities have come forward with charges against Bailey Edmonson, the 20-year-old son of Matthew. Matthew and Charles face an additional 26 charges in the indictment.
During Matthew’s hearing, prosecutors requested Judge Richard Ferenc to raise her bond from $500,000 due to the additional charges she is facing. If convicted on all counts, these charges could result in a prison sentence of 208 years.
The prosecutor provided a harrowing account of the adopted children’s living conditions, highlighting the severe neglect they endured. They were subjected to extreme deprivation of food and water, forced to stay confined in a basement room resembling a dungeon, and left in diapers.
According to another member of the prosecutor’s office, there is evidence suggesting Bailey’s involvement in the discipline of the children.
Bailey was ordered to be held on a bond of $500,000 by a judge. Matthew’s bond has been increased to $1,000,000.
In 2022, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after an adult adopted son made allegations of sexual assault against Charles.
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According to court documents reviewed by Scripps News Cincinnati, Charles reported an accusation of abuse to a court investigator in a report submitted on December 5, 2022. The investigator described the son as extremely vulnerable due to his mental illness. On December 14, 2022, a judge awarded Charles custody of the child.
Charles faced legal consequences in October 2023 and was ultimately given a three-year prison sentence.
According to ProKids Executive Director Tracy Cook, it is common for people to overlook simple signs of abuse in other children, which could prevent them from receiving the necessary help.
According to Cook, there are ways to assist these children.
Cook emphasized the importance of recognizing signs of abuse within a household, such as withdrawal, aggression, odd comments, extreme fear, and unexplained injuries. She encouraged individuals to trust their instincts and reach out to their local county Jobs and Family Services Department if they suspect a child may be experiencing abuse.
Many individuals hesitate to report incidents due to uncertainty. “You don’t have to be certain,” Cook stated.