An Oklahoma man is facing multiple charges after the Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of possible child abuse. Officers received the call on July 28 about a teenager being tied to a tree.
Once officers and representatives from the Department of Human Services Child Welfare arrived on scene, they found a teenage girl tied to a tree in the yard, and it seemed she had slept on a carpet.
Investigators learned that the teen was visiting family from Texas and had been tied to the tree with ratchet straps for over 24 hours. Johnny James, the girl’s father, allegedly told officials that he restrained the girl as a form of discipline. He also said that she had mental development issues.
It is alleged that James tied his 15-year-old daughter to the tree in the yard to prevent her from making a mess in the house by urinating and defecating indoors. Allegedly, the teen acted out because she wanted to live with her mother.
Kayla Clark, James’ girlfriend is also facing charges because she did nothing to help the teen. She told officers that she was “frazzled”.
According to officers, other family members were too scared of James to contact authorities.
The teen and other children in the home were removed byDHSChildWelfare. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
James and Clark are both facing charges for Child Abuse and Neglect.