Jackson County Sheriff Charges Evans Couple on 12 Felony Counts

Erica Lynn Sayre, 45, and Clifford Gale Sayre, 46, each face six felony counts in Jackson County, West Virginia, following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department announced on Monday. The charges include three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury. Erica Sayre also faces three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury, while Clifford Sayre faces three counts of child neglect resulting in bodily injury.

Investigators alleged the three children were repeatedly struck and strangled, deprived of food and water, and denied access to a bathroom. They said soiled cat litter was dumped into the children's beds, dog feces was placed on their belongings, and they were made to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as punishment. Other alleged acts included striking the children with household objects, forcing a soiled sock into one child's mouth, and cutting their hair against their will.

One child told investigators she was struck in the head with an electronic device, causing bleeding, and was then denied medical treatment. The sheriff's office alleged another child was threatened with death if she contacted Child Protective Services. During a forensic interview, the children said they endured the abuse "Because mom hits us and Gale lets her."

One child became emotional during interviews and told investigators, "I can't go back to that home." Another said she "just wants a normal life." Investigators alleged Clifford Sayre witnessed repeated abuse without intervening, and one child claimed he held her hands while Erica Sayre cut her hair with a razor blade, causing injury.

The Sheriff's Department worked with Child Protective Services and a Child Advocacy Center on the probe, which included multiple interviews, medical examinations, and photographic evidence. Investigators said they documented scars consistent with the children's accounts, and that the children's statements corroborated one another and other physical evidence collected.

All three children were removed from the home after the allegations were disclosed. Sheriff Ross Mellinger said the outlined findings of the investigation are deeply troubling and described the children as living in a real life "house of horrors" with the adults responsible for protecting them.