TERRE HAUTE —
Six criminal counts of child neglect and five counts of criminal confinement have been filed against a Terre Haute couple accused of “cruelly” tying their children to beds with ropes and duct tape, and with denying their children food, water and access to a bathroom.
Larry D. Russell Jr., 39, and Nikki L. Russell, 35, appeared via video today in Vigo Superior Court 6 where Judge Michael Lewis appointed the couple separate public defenders and ordered them each held on $100,000 bond.
Nikki Russell faces an additional two counts of battery by bodily waste for allegedly pouring urine on two boys, and a count of battery resulting in bodily injury for allegedly slapping one boy hard enough to make his nose bleed.
Each defendant faces about 48 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said today in a news conference that the five minor children living with the Russells have been placed in foster care.
Modesitt also said that additional charges are likely in the case as investigators learn more about the alleged abuse of the children that occurred in the home on North 12th Street.
For more details on this criminal case, see Thursday’s edition of the Tribune-Star, or return to www.tribstar.com.
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Larry D. Russell Jr.
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Neglect case carries possible 48-year prison sentence
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