Virginia Parents Plead Guilty After Barricading Children

Allegedly sealed kids in with sheetrock

A couple from Virginia who barricaded their children in a room by nailing a sheet of drywall across the doorway because they reportedly "needed a break," have pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect in court Thursdsay.

Their children, ages 1, 2, and 4 managed to escape the room, when the oldest child climbed on some mattresses and over the wall to go ask a neighbor for help. She told the neighbors that "her sisters needed help and her mom and dad were asleep,” according to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kristina Robinson.

The neighbor followed the child back to the house, and getting no response when she called for the parents, broke into the room where the children were. She then bathed and dressed the children, who were only wearing soiled diapers, and took them to her house next door, where she called police, Robinson said.

Police subsequently found drug parephenalia on the premises.

Christina Moore, 27, and John Michael Robey, 34, of Prince William County will be sentenced in January. Prosecutors are recommending drug treatment and three years probation.

Copyright WAMUo - WAMU
Contact Us