Charles Edmonson, 64, and his wife Matthew Edmonson, 50, have been sentenced to prison for abusing their adopted children, aged 13, 11, and eight. The couple inflicted horrific treatment on the children, leaving them worse off than “prisoners of war.”
Authorities discovered the children locked in a cold basement, naked and huddled together for warmth. Some were hospitalized with bleach burns and internal injuries.
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve said, “The images of these undernourished and naked children, locked in a cold basement and clinging to each other for warmth, are heart-wrenching. These two are completely unfit to be parents.”
The couple’s crimes left lasting scars on the children, four of whom have special needs. Despite the trauma, the children are reportedly making progress with physical and emotional care.
Charles Edmonson pleaded guilty to kidnapping, felonious assault, and child endangering, while Matthew admitted to five counts of child endangering.
Charles received a 15-year sentence, and Matthew was sentenced to 13 years. Their biological son, Bailey, was also sentenced to two years of probation for child endangering.
The abuse first came to light in 2024, during an investigation into another case where Charles had previously served a three-year sentence for sexually assaulting another adopted son.
Prosecutors originally sought much longer sentences for the couple, but a plea deal reduced their time in prison. This case highlights the ongoing need to protect vulnerable children from abusive situations.
