Crime & Safety

Couple Broke Kids' Bones, Force-Fed Them Hot Sauce, Feds Claim

Picatinny Arsenal Army major and his wife served 17-count indictment on charges of abusing their children through 'neglectful and cruel acts.'

A U.S. Army major stationed at the Picatinny Arsenal surrendered to federal agents Tuesday following his wife's arrest on charges the couple abused their adopted children by breaking their bones, witholding water from them, force-feeding them hot sauce and denying them medical attention.

Carolyn Jackson, 35, and John E. Jackson, 37, of Mount Holly, were charged in a 17-count indictment that included 14 counts of endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of assault, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said. Each face a up to 10 years in prison on each of the 17 counts and a maximum $250,000 fine on each count.

Fishman said the crimes were committed on the Morris County Picatinny Arsenal base. The indictment alleges the couple conspired to abuse their three foster children, whom they adopted, between August 2005 and April 23, 2010.

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The Jacksons allegedly told their three biological children not to report the assaults and justified the acts as "training" for the adopted children on how to behave.

Fishman said the Jacksons withheld water from two of the adopted children and even had one of their biological kids prevent the adopted children from drinking from the toilet or sink. The Jacksons also used objects to physically assault the kids, Fishman said, and caused two of the children to sustain fractured bones without allowing them medical attention.

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"As another form of punishment, Carolyn and John Jackson forced two of the children to consume food intended to cause them pain and suffering, variously including red pepper flakes, hot sauce and raw onion," Fishman's office said in a press release. "They also caused one child to ingest excessive sodium or sodium-laden substances while being deprived of water, leading to a life-threatening condition."

All of the children living with the Jacksons are currently under the custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

The Jacksons were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.


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