A husband and wife from Evans have been charged with multiple felonies after the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department concluded an investigation into allegations that three children were abused and neglected in their home for years.
Erica Lynn Sayre, 45, and Clifford Gale Sayre, 46, were each charged with six felony counts, authorities announced Monday. Erica Sayre faces three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury and three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury. Clifford Sayre faces three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury and three counts of child neglect resulting in bodily injury.
According to the sheriff’s department, investigators alleged the children were struck and strangled, denied food, water and bathroom access, and subjected to a range of other mistreatment. Authorities said soiled cat litter was placed in the children’s beds, dog feces was put on their belongings, and the children were forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as punishment.
Investigators also alleged the children were hit with household objects, had a soiled sock forced into their mouths, and had their hair cut against their will.
“One child described being struck in the head with an electronic device, causing a bleeding injury for which she was denied medical treatment. One of the children was threatened to be killed if she contacted Child Protective Services,” the sheriff’s office said in its findings.
During interviews with investigators, one child became emotional and said, “I can’t go back to that home.” Another told investigators she “just wants a normal life.”
Authorities allege Clifford Sayre witnessed repeated abuse but did not intervene. One child told investigators he held her hands while Erica Sayre cut her hair with a razor blade, causing an injury. In a forensic interview, the children said, “Because mom hits us and Gale lets her.”
The sheriff’s department said it worked with Child Protective Services and a Child Advocacy Center during the investigation, which included multiple interviews, medical examinations and photographic documentation. Investigators said scars found on the children were consistent with their accounts, and that the children’s statements corroborated one another and other evidence gathered.
All three children have been removed from the home, authorities said.
“The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department emphasizes the seriousness of allegations involving child abuse and neglect of vulnerable children and remains committed to investigating such reports thoroughly and efficiently,” Sheriff Ross Mellinger said.
Mellinger added that the findings were “deeply troubling” and said the children were “living in a real life ‘house of horrors’ with the adults in their lives that should have otherwise been protecting them from such occurrences and conditions, not creating them.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has not yet provided additional comment.
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