Judge: No relatives to care for children found in barn
DECATUR, Texas — A North Texas judge says four young siblings will remain in foster care after two were discovered locked in a dog cage and the others were found smeared with excrement in a barn.
The judge ruled Wednesday that no suitable relatives could be found to care for the children, who range in age from 1 to 5 years old.
Investigators say all four children were hungry and thirsty when found in the barn on Feb. 12 at a property near Rhome, about 20 miles (32 kilometres) north of Fort Worth.
Advertisement
Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin says it’s the worst case of child abuse he’s seen in his 44-year career.
The children’s mother, 24-year-old Paige Harkings, is jailed on child endangerment charges. Jail records don’t indicate whether she has an attorney. A man arrested in the case was released on bond.
The Associated Press