An Ohio father and his girlfriend were arrested after authorities found his four-year-old twin boys bound, gagged and duct-taped to a wall in their apartment.
James Howell Jr, along with his partner, Jamie Carver, have been charged with two counts of kidnapping and child endangering.
Authorities said the children were restrained with a belt and shoe laces, gagged with socks and duct-taped to the wall when they were found Sunday afternoon.
James Howell Jr (right) and his girlfriend Jamie Carver (left), were charged with two counts of kidnapping and child endangering after they allegedly bound, gagged and duct-taped his four-year-old twin boys to a wall
Authorities said the children were restrained with a belt and shoe laces, gagged with socks and duct-taped to the wall when they were found at the couple’s apartment (pictured) Sunday afternoon
‘Duct tape was found everywhere in the apartment (pictured),’ Cincinnati Police Detective Janette Vaughn said in court
‘Duct tape was found everywhere in the apartment,’ Cincinnati Police Detective Janette Vaughn said in court, according to WLWT. ‘Duct tape was used, also a sock was put in the children’s mouths to keep them from making any noises.’
Howell, who is the father of the twin boys, has an eighth-grade education and a minor record but no violent convictions.
But his girlfriend, Carver was described by her attorney as ‘low functioning’. She has a couple of domestic violence convictions.
The children’s mother died earlier this year after complications during surgery. Carver moved in with Howell recently.
Despite the allegations against Howell, his family said he would never hurt his children.
Vickie Howell, the twins’ grandmother, said her son has ‘disciplined’ the children by making them ‘have a time out’ and sitting them in the corner.
‘Lord have mercy. No!,’ she told WLWT when asked about whether or not her son would use duct tape on his children.
James Howell Jr’s children have been placed with a foster family by Hamilton County Job and Family Services.
Howell (left), who is the father of the twin boys, has an eighth-grade education and a minor record but no violent convictions. But his girlfriend, Carver (right), was described by her attorney as ‘low functioning’. She also has a couple of domestic violence convictions.
Despite the allegations against Howell, his family said he would never hurt his children. Vickie Howell (pictured), the twins’ grandmother, said her son has ‘disciplined’ the children by making them ‘have a time out’ and sitting them in the corner