Authorities announced the arrest of eight individuals living in a residence in Kentucky, linked to a child abuse investigation affecting seven victims. The Richmond Police Department disclosed in a news release that charges against the defendants include criminal abuse, incest, rape, and human trafficking.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Richmond Police Department, Child Protective Services, and the Department for Community Based Services, led to multiple criminal allegations against family members residing together. Following the arrests, seven minors aged 1 to 17 have been placed under Social Services care.
A department spokesperson revealed to NBC News that bail amounts for the accused range from $50,000 to $125,000. The relationship between the arrested individuals remains unclear, but they reportedly lived at the same address where the children were removed. Newsweek sought further comments from the police via email outside regular business hours; however, immediate responses were not provided regarding legal representatives for the defendants.
Who Has Been Charged?
The defendants, identified as residents of Richmond, Kentucky, face the following charges:
- Christine Carter, 41: First-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13 and first-degree criminal abuse.
- Johnna Carter, 21: First-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13 and first-degree criminal abuse.
- Richard Carter, 45: First-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree rape, and human trafficking.
- Sarah Carter, 28: First-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, distribution of obscene matter, and incest.
- Matthew Brumbaugh, 30: Incest.
- Mark Brumbaugh, 30: Incest, first-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, and third-degree sexual abuse.
- Green Schindler, 63: First-degree criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, incest, human trafficking, first-degree rape, and first-degree sodomy.
- Ishmeal Thornsberry, 21: First-degree criminal abuse.
Online records indicate they were booked into the Madison County Detention Center on October 8.
What Happens Next?
The defendants are set to appear in court on October 21. The police indicated that additional charges might follow as the investigation proceeds. The public is encouraged to report any information regarding this case to the Richmond Police Department.