Kent County couple, Mary Vinson, 46, and Charles Vinson, 37 have pleaded guilty to child abuse charges. The couple was charged with the serial abuse and torture of their children, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.
Over a span of 20 months, the Vinsons were alleged to have subjected their children to a series of horrifying acts, which included making them stand for extended periods, withholding food, force-feeding them, and subjecting them to repeated and violent physical assaults read a statement released by prosecutors. The severity of the abuse resulted in multiple hospitalizations for the victims, both of whom have since been placed in the care of the Division of Family Services. Officials said that some of the abuse was documented through surveillance cameras placed by the parents inside the children’s room.
On September 26, Mary and Charles Vinson pleaded guilty to a litany of charges related to the abuse. Mary Vinson faced charges that included Child Abuse 1st Degree, Attempted Child Abuse 1st Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Attempted Assault 2nd Degree, Strangulation, Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and False Statement to Police.
Charles Vinson faced charges that included Child Abuse 1st Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Act of Intimidation, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and Child Abuse 3rd Degree.
One of the victims was subjected to abuse from the age of 10, while the other endured this treatment from ages 11 to 13 officials said. The Vinsons are set to be sentenced by a Superior Court judge in January, with Mary Vinson facing a minimum sentence of 30 years, up to 444 years in prison, and Charles Vinson facing a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to 158 years in prison.
The investigation into the Vinsons’ crimes was led by Delaware State Police Troop 3 Detective Jennifer Lloyd, who received assistance from the Troop 3 Major Crimes Unit and the High Tech Crimes Unit.