Kent Co. couple convicted of serially abusing, torturing children

KENT CO., Del. – Prosecutors have secured multiple felony convictions against a couple charged with serially abusing and torturing their children.

Officials say over a period of 20 months, 46-year-old Mary Vinson and 37-year-old Charles Vinson are alleged to have abused their children, including making them stand for long periods of time, withholding food, force feeding them, and physically assaulting them.

Both children were hospitalized several times due to the severity of the abuse, which was caught on video by cameras placed by the parents in the children’s room. The children have been transferred into the custody of the Division of Family Services.

On September 26th, the pair pleaded guilty to numerous crimes.

Mary Vinson pleaded guilty to six counts of first degree child abuse, seven counts of first degree attempted child abuse, two counts of first degree kidnapping, three counts of attempted second degree assault, four counts of strangulation, three counts of first degree reckless endangering, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second degree conspiracy, and one count of false statement to police.

Charles Vinson pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree child abuse, two counts of first degree kidnapping, one count of second degree assault, two counts of act of intimidation, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second degree conspiracy, and one count of third degree child abuse.

We’re told one of the children was 10 years old during the abuse, while the other was abused from age 11 to age 13.

Mary faces a minimum sentence of 30 years with up to 444 years in prison, while Charles faces a minimum sentence of 10 years with up to 158 years. Both are scheduled for sentencing in January.