Authorities have sentenced a father and his girlfriend after they allegedly tied the man's daughter to a tree as a form of punishment.
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The incident occurred in Oklahoma in July of last year, although the pair faced sentencing on Wednesday last week. According to a report by People, authorities arrested Johnny James, 41, and Kayla Clark, 42, after James' teenage daughter was found tied to a tree.
A woman reportedly saw her while driving around the area. She dialed 911 and allegedly told officers that a girl had been tied up, potentially for days. The girl reportedly had visible injuries, a hole in her leg, and lesions on her arm, and appeared malnourished. The outlet also explains that the girl had injuries on her wrists resembling rope burns.
Lori Fullbright from News on 6 reports that the woman who found the teenager gave her some food. She also explains that deputies found the victim sitting on a 'rectangular piece of carpet' as she was tied to the tree by her waist with a ratchet strap.
Fullbright also alleges that James lied multiple times to authorities. He reportedly told police that he'd only tied her up "for an hour." According to People, James said he tied his daughter to the tree to punish her. "the child has problems urinating and defecating while indoors, and if she was outdoors, there would not be any mess," he allegedly told police.
Fullbright states that investigators believe James was punishing his daughter because she wanted to live with her mother.
James' Girlfriend Reportedly Lied To Police
Clark had lived with the pair for multiple years and initially denied knowing about any abuse. She reportedly told authorities that she knew the teen was tied up but didn't report anything because she was "frazzled."
Per a report by Fox23, police arrested the pair for child abuse and child neglect last year. They were sentenced on Wednesday to serve at least thirty years behind bars. James was sentenced to 35 years, while Clark got 30. The outlet explains that neither will be eligible for parole until they have completed at least 85% of their sentences.
