The stepmother of two children who were the center of a recent Department of Human Services and Boone County Sheriff’s Office investigation told officials that the children were allowed out of the padlocked, boarded-windowed room for six to eight hours every day, an arrest affidavit said.

Anna M. Lee Barber, 54, and Tommie Joseph Barber Sr., 38, were arrested last Thursday after the investigation into child neglect filed with DHS.

According to the arrest affidavit, authorities went to their residence in the Olvey area and found the children, ages 10 and 8, were locked in the 10-by-12-foot room with a lock on the outside of the door. Windows were boarded shut.

Investigators noted a “penetrating and repulsive” odor of urine in the room when they entered, the affidavit said, and they noted that the children’s clothing was dirty, stained and smelled of urine.

Investigators noted a portable potty chair in the room, which the children used. The children told investigators that they would “pee and poop” on the floor when the potty chair became full, the affidavit said.

The children slept on makeshift beds made of foam on the floor of the room, which was bare — no toys or play material — save for the potty chair and a tire with a chain.

When asked, the children said they were sometimes chained to it “to keep them safe,” the affidavit said.

Anna Barber, the children’s stepmother, told investigators the children were allowed out of the room for six to eight hours a day, but one of the children said they ate, slept and played in the room, that they were rarely allowed out and were chained to a tree or a dog’s cage when allowed outside.

“The children had never been to public school and were unable to read or write,” a police report said. “As a result of the allegations the children have been removed from the home.”

Both Barbers were arrested on charges of two counts each of endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 or a combination of both.

They were released after posting $10,000 bond each just hours after the arrest, the report said.

SOURCE: http://harrisondailytimes.com/articles/2009/11/04/news/doc4aef9a53237b0383486252.txt