A couple facing allegations of committing horrifying abuse against two teenagers has been accused of using BB guns to shoot at the youths and confining them in a chicken pen.
Chantel Hayford, identified as the mother of the teens, and her boyfriend Jerry Menees, were apprehended following claims of prolonged neglect and mistreatment endured by the 13 and 14-year-old victims. Law enforcement officials disclosed that the couple purportedly organized “fight nights” where the teenagers were coerced into physically harming each other and engaging in violent altercations within a cycle of ongoing mistreatment. Shockingly, at the end of this alleged cycle of abuse, the mother reportedly offered to trade her children in return for a phone, with each child valued at $77.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation in December when the Division of Family Services flagged the case after a concerned individual stated that the boys had visited during the summer, pleading for food. Hayford and Menees were taken into custody after a search of their residence in Missouri, during which the teenagers recounted the harrowing experiences they had endured at the hands of their mother and her partner.
According to police, one of the teenagers allegedly sank into a deep depression, resorting to consuming insects, leaves, and even stealing food. The other victim purportedly was forced to ingest caulking material typically used for sealing joints in buildings, with one disturbing incident reportedly occurring at a child’s birthday celebration.
A guardian who reported the case to authorities revealed distressing details of the children’s alleged mistreatment by their mother. The guardian mentioned that the mother offered to exchange the children for a phone and phone plan, valued at $231, equivalent to approximately $77 per child.
The teenagers were reportedly never enrolled in school and lacked basic literacy skills appropriate for their age. A medical examination revealed that the teens were severely underweight. Furthermore, Hayford and Menees were accused of providing the youths with drugs and alcohol, as reported by WTOK. The couple allegedly resorted to threatening the teenagers with actual firearms and warning them of dire consequences if they disclosed the abuse they suffered.
Police reports indicated that the property where the abuse occurred was unsanitary, with feces found smeared on the floors and beds. Menees faced charges including first-degree kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action, and child abuse or neglect. Hayford was charged with offenses including first-degree kidnapping, domestic assault, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and child abuse or neglect.
The couple remains in custody, being held without the option of posting bail.