MINNEAPOLIS - A Minneapolis man is charged with eight felony counts involving years of alleged abuse and rape of his own vulnerable daughters.
In a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, prosecutors spell out the allegations against the 52-year-old man, which the victims say went on for years. Authorities became aware of the case when one of the twins, referred to as Victim A in documents, was reported missing by her mother on May 1, 2017.
Concerned that Victim A, age 20, has the intellectual capacity of a first to third grader, Minneapolis Police began an investigation. The woman was located one day later at the Harbor Lights Center. Investigators were told that she had significant injuries consistent with abuse. Victim A told officers she was afraid to go home, but did not want to discuss why.
On May 9, Hennepin County Human Services removed Victim A's twin sister, referred to as Victim B, and a 10-year old sister prosecutors call Victim C from the home of the father and their mother.
Victim A wasn't heard from until June 7, when she turned up at another Twin Cities shelter. She was taken to Corner House for an interview, where she detailed years of physical abuse by her father. Victim A said her father hit both she and her twin sister with bats and paddles on their heads, arms and legs. She told authorities when her father found out she was sexually active at age 15, he began chaining her to a bedroom door to keep her from seeing men or acquiring food.
A physical exam of Victim A showed the top of one ear was detached, she had significant scars on her face and scalp, scars from being chained up, and injuries to one eye that leave her largely unable to see. An ophthalmologist who examined her says those injuries likely will not heal.
Victim B, age, 20, was found to be pregnant. She supported her twin sister's claims of abuse and told investigators that her father had raped her numerous times and was the father of her unborn child. She delivered a baby girl in October of 2017. Victim B also shared stories of being hit with bats and paddles and being chained up when she misbehaved.
A DNA test shows that the father is statistically likely to be the father of Victim B's daughter. He is charged with crimes ranging from sexual assault and first-degree assault to stalking and child endangerment.
On Thursday, charges were filed against the girls' mother. She faces two counts of criminal neglect (deprivation occurring over a period of time) and one count of neglect of a child (likely substantial physical/emotional harm).
Investigators determined her 10-year-old daughter, Victim C, was also physically abused.
A warrant has been issued for her arrest.
KARE 11 has removed the names of the parents to protect the daughters' identities.