A mother and her boyfriend from Alabama are facing arrest following allegations of subjecting her three young children to horrific abuse, including the use of a blowtorch.
Ashleigh Ableman, aged 27, and her partner, Howard Anderson, aged 53, were charged with willful abuse of a child last week in connection with these deeply disturbing accusations.
During the investigation authorities “discovered that Ableman and Anderson, had burned Ableman’s three children with a blowtorch several times,” WDHN reported.
The couple stands accused of using a blowtorch to inflict burns on Ableman’s children, who are 4, 7, and 9 years old.
In addition to these horrifying acts, investigators have revealed that other forms of abuse were also reportedly inflicted on the children.
“This is a case of obvious torture to these children. We knew immediately that we had to intervene,” emphasized Lieutenant Caroline Jackson, as reported by WDHN.
The severity of the abuse left the children with significant burns, and they are currently under the custody of the Department of Human Resources.
Reports indicate that the children themselves provided details of the abuse to investigators, shedding light on the horrifying ordeal they endured.
Ableman and Anderson were taken into custody after a search warrant was executed at their residence in Ariton, Alabama, by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office. Both individuals are being held without bond while awaiting their first court appearance, as per local reports.
In Alabama, willful abuse of a child is categorized as a felony, carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $15,000. These charges underscore the seriousness with which such allegations are treated, emphasizing the need to protect the well-being and safety of vulnerable children.
“During the summer, the children were home with the abusers, so they didn’t have anyone to report the abuse to. Now that school has started back, the school is unfortunately some of the children’s safety zones, so they feel comfortable confiding in counselors and teachers at the school.” Jackson added.
Anderson and Ableman are currently held in the Dale County Jail without bond pending their first appearance.
