BARBER Children - 10 and 8 yo - Harrison AR

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.

How horrible this story is. My heart goes out to these 2 children. I don't guess there were any other family members in their life. I just wonder why this was allowed to go on for so long. And where is their birth mother?

george_anthony wrote:How horrible this story is. My heart goes out to these 2 children. I don't guess there were any other family members in their life. I just wonder why this was allowed to go on for so long. And where is their birth mother?

It's disgusting. "up to 6 years OR a fine" is not enough for the years of suffering these helpless children have gone through. Even if they get 6 years they will be out on parole in just a couple of years. The charges for this type of thing should be kidnapping and torture which should mean life in prison.