Couple Locked Adopted Children in Bathroom for Months as Punishment: Cops

Police in Conn. arrested George and Nancie Barnes on charges they mistreated their adopted children by locking them in a bathroom every day for months.

A Connecticut couple was arrested Thursday on charges they punished their adopted children by locking them in a bathroom for extended periods.

Police say Nancie and George Barnes of Watertown routinely forced some of their children to stand in the bathroom and read for entire days, sometimes for months at a time.

According to CBS News, the couple have five adopted children who range in age from 9 to 18.

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While inside the bathroom, the children were allegedly forced to always remain standing and police say baby monitors were used to ensure they never sat down.

The couple allegedly confined one of the children in the bathroom from September to December, where police say they even were forced to eat their meals.

The children were allowed to attend school when they were being confined to the bathroom while at home, police say.

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The Connecticut Department of Children and Families has removed the children from the home. 

Both George and Nancie Barnes have been charged with cruelty to persons, unlawful restraint, and risk of injury to a minor. 

The couple reportedly rushed from the courtroom following their arraignment on Friday without speaking to reporters and are due back in court Feb. 24. According to online court records, neither suspect has yet to enter a plea.

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