A Prince William County, Va., couple faces felony child abuse charges for allegedly shutting their naked children in a room, then sealing them in with nailed drywall.
John Michael Robey, 33, and Christina Dawn Moore, 26, of Bristow, locked the three children in a bedroom, then nailed drywall about 5-feet high in front of the doorway, police said.
The children are 4 months, 2 years and 4 years old.
The 4-year-old was able to escape and went to a neighbor's house for help, police said. That neighbor was able to free the other children from the room, which was covered in feces and urine, and then alerted authorities.
According to court papers, the neighbor tried to wake the passed out couple but couldn't, NBC Washington's Chris Gordon reported.
Police searched the suspects' bedroom and found a variety of prescription pill bottles, smoking devices and needles, according to court papers.
"I think you'll find substance abuse here," said the Prince William County commonwealth's attorney, who will prosecute the case.
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The couple was arrested and charged with three counts of felony child abuse.
The children have been taken from their custody.
Moore was convicted of felony child neglect in 2005 after her twin 22-month-old boys were found walking alone in diapers near the county landfill, so the Department of Social Services took charge of their custody, Gordon reported.
"Once a case is closed, it is closed and people go on to have children," said Janine Sewell, of the department.
Moore and Robey are being held in custody pending trial if convicted each could face a sentence of up to 15 years.
