Trial of parents in Vanc. child abuse case begins today
VANCOUVER, Wash. – The trial of two parents who investigators said imprisoned, abused and starved two teenage twins began Monday with jury selection.
Jeff and Sandra Weller face second degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal mistreatment charges. They were arrested Oct. 12, 2011, after police were tipped off by child protective services.
Jeff Weller pleaded not guilty to all the charges last year. His wife Sandra was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation before she could enter a plea.
The twins are now in foster care and the Wellers have not been allowed any contact with them. However, the couple did get supervised visitation rights with their other four children.
Court documents said the couple kept food under lock and key and fed very small amounts to the twins an average of once a day. The twins told police they had to constantly steal food to survive.
When they were caught, the Wellers forced them to take off their pants and underwear and lie on the kitchen floor while Jeff Weller beat them with a 42-inch wooden stick, often making them bleed, according to court documents.
In one incident, court documents said Jeff hit the female twin with the stick about 20 times.
The twins, who were home-schooled, were adopted by Sandra Weller in California when they were 2 years old. The twins told police the abuse went on for as long as they could remember.
Court documents also said that early in 2011, the couple removed the interior door knob from the twins' bedroom and installed an alarm that activated when the door opened. They were not allowed to leave their bedroom other than to do chores and occasionally eat, court documents said.
There was no clock or electricity in their bedroom. The window was locked as well, documents said.
Court documents indicated Sandra was also the target of some abuse by Jeff and detailed numerous other instances of abuse, including strangulation, directed at the teenagers.
'The twins are now in foster care and the Wellers have not been allowed any contact with them. However, the couple did get supervised visitation rights with their other four children.'
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I don't get this. It's pretty apparent that there is a complete lack of paternal skills, and that violence was commonplace in the home;
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'Court documents indicated Sandra was also the target of some abuse by Jeff and detailed numerous other instances of abuse, including strangulation, directed at the teenagers.'
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So, out of some sense of their rights as parents they're allowed to have visitation with the other children?
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The argument could be made that the other 4 children are likely victims as well, only having been groomed thus far well enough as to not 'rat out' Dad and Mom. Absent of that prospect, it's also likely that the other 4 children were complicit in the abuse as they also lived in the home and were aware of the conditions the twins were enduring.Â
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Don't get me wrong here, I'm a steadfast proponent of parents rights, but I'm even moreso a proponent of protecting children from the influence of, and abuse by monsters. Especially when those monsters are their own parents.Â
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Just short of a bullet to the back of his worthless head, there are few sentences I would consider justice.Â
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 @MarkKpic You are right that the kids should never have seen the parents, but until they (the system) knew just how bad the parents were, they have a mandate to keep try reunification. The kids have been protected by the system and the other family members, who do not condone the parents actions. I believe that the mom is using the "abuse" thing as an excuse to get off. and shame on her for using this when there are REALLY abused women out there.  I believe based on what I have read last year, she has history of "blaming" others for her actions, just check out California and her in court now.. IT will NEVER be her fault.Â
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I, too, am a proponent of parents rights, but I will NEVER choose the abusive "torturous" parent over the child. I guess I would not make a good juror in this case. The system should use them as an example and show everyone what will happen to those who hurt children. The other children, I believe, were doing what they could to survive. Have you seen the other "additional" charges against the daddy??? I think they are his abusive behavior towards the others.
 @Aman San  @MarkKpic >'I believe that the mom is using the "abuse" thing as an excuse to get off. and shame on her for using this when there are REALLY abused women out there.'
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I don't know enough about this incident in particular to make any judgement about her or her motivations. That being said, I've witnessed the manipulative and almost demonic lengths that some abusers will go to in their dominance over women and children. It's definately one of those cases where the term 'mitigating circumstances' comes into play. Of course, that being said, for all I know she was as complicit in the behavior as he was.Â
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Perhaps it's just the way I was raised, but I've always believed that it was the husband/fathers duty to protect and nurture their children and family first and foremost. Above all else, including themselves. Between 'baby daddies', deadbeat dads and meat-sticks like this guy.... It's little wonder that society has seen the decline that it has.Â
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As I said above, I can think of no other sentence than death that would suffice for his abhorrent behavior towards the children in his care. As for her, without insight as to her charictor or motivations, I could sleep at night with a 25-life sentence with consideration given for psychological evaluation and therapy. Insofar as the other kids, get them the he11 away from them BOTH. Down the road 10 years or so they can decide for themselves if they want to even attempt a reconcilliation.Â
 @MarkKpic  @Aman San I agree with you about the man's role in the home. Being the "abused" before, seeing her attitude through all of the previous court cases - her defiance, her abject disdain for the kids, the fact that she "wrote" the twins off - speaks volumes to me. I have been trying to be "objectiv" but she does not follow the "normal" trend of an abused woman and then to hear that she "encouraged" her husband to do those things to the kids, WOW.   Yes, the both need "serious" help and maybe, just maybe <he is the abused husband????> Folllowing this case from its inception, gives an interesting hue to the case. There was something that caught my eye about it that I had to follow.Â
We will learn more as the case moves on. The "facts" will determine the case, wherever it may go.
I wish the kids peace after all this is done. Get them away, give them :REAL love and get them the help they need. Don't let the twins "fall through the cracks" just because they are 17 now. Their problems will not go away just because they are 18
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This is just sick..... The children suffer while the parents blame them for lying, stealing, and just making up stuff. Know one of the families and the kids are just devastated. Let this be quick for the kids and let the punishment fit the crime. I am tired of seeing parents get away with such abusive behavior and the system slapping them on the wrist.
Things like this are always sickening. If found guilty, no sentence will be enough for the pain and suffering they have caused these children. I hope the children are placed in a home that can offer love and safety. I hope the other children receive the same.
I hate these two people. I hope karma pays them back two fold.
This makes me sick
All American parents right there.
The world is full of sick and twisted people. The fact that these two were allowed to have custody of ANY kids indicates a failure of our society. You have to have a license to drive, fish, build, etc which in my mind is considerably LESS important than being a parent yet we let anyone do it without training or supervision.
Make the punishment fit the crime. Make them strip and lie down on the floor in the general population section of the nearest Prison. give them an ounce of food a day and beat them daily with a wooden stick and don't forget the strangulation!
@Pointblank Child abuse suspects don't fare too well in general prison populations!
 @jpk  @PointblankÂ
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That's why they lie when they go in.
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Most child abusers are anonymous thus they say hey committed some other crime that is plausible for their sentence.
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These two will likely serve 5 years (yes 5) and be released. Many property crimes send someone in for 5 years like auto theft (repeat) and burglary (home invasion).
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Thus they will lie (few inmates get to watch news) and live a rather comfy time while they server getting visits from their children each week (or more).
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 @Repoman  @jpk Maybe a nice guard will tip them all off.
Non-violent property crimes are low on the sentencing matrix totem pole. Most get a couple of months after several convictions, but generally probation so they can do it again, hoping to get better at it.