A Massachussetts couple have been accused of keeping their young children in cages in their home to sexually abuse them.
Melissa and Matthew Hope are the subject of a Department of Children and Families investigation in Taunton, Massachusetts.
On Sunday, the couple had their children removed from their apartment and Melissa, 34, was taken into custody for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was there to assist their removal.
Details of their alleged abuse of their children would ordinarily remain secret but were included in her arrest report.
Melissa and Matthew Hope had their children taken off of them on Saturday as part of a Department of Children and Families investigation. When police arrived to assist with the removal of the kids, Melissa allegedly assaulted one of the officers. She was arrested (seen left in her mugshot) for battery but neither has been charged yet for abusing their children
According to the police report, officers arrived at the home and were immediately yelled at by Melissa and her husband.
She is said to have screamed out the window that they would not be allowed inside without a warrant.
When police and the DCF officers explained that they did not need a warrant because of the nature of the allegations, they made their way inside and ordered the couple to sit down but only Matthew did as he was told.
Melissa, it is claimed, grabbed the police officer as he tried to make his way through the apartment, taking him by the throat.
Social services had received reports the couple were keeping the children in cages in their apartment in this building in Taunton, Massachusetts
The couple are yet to comment on the allegations. According to Melissa’s arrest report, she grabbed the officer by the throat and shoved him when he tried to get to her children
She allegedly told him: ‘You ain’t going f***** anywhere,’ according to The Taunton Gazette.
The children were removed and she was arrested at the scene.
According to the police officer, the pair were being looked into for neglect and abuse including sexually assaulting the children.
It is unclear how many children live in the home with them. Neither Melissa nor her 35-year-old husband have been charged for abuse against the children.
Melissa was released on a personal recognizance bond after a brief arraignment hearing on Monday.
The Department of Families and Children’s investigation is ongoing.