Couple Sentenced for Horrific Abuse of Five Adopted Sons
A Mathemson duo has been sentenced following a guilty plea for shocking abuse against their five adoptive sons, including imprisonment in dark, bleak rooms and systematic starvation and dehydration. A plea deal was struck with the prosecution, resulting in Mathilda Edmenson, 50, pleading guilty to five counts of endangering a child’s life, while her husband, Charles, 64, was sentenced on charges of kidnapping, severe assault, and three counts of endangering a child’s life.
The manchild abuse included harsh living conditions and systematic physical and emotional abuse – with four of the victims having special needs. Mathilda will serve a minimum of 13 years, while Charles will spend at least 15 years behind bars. Initially, the couple faced over 200 years imprisonment for their multifaceted charges, but 44 of Mathilda’s charges and 48 of Charles’ were dropped in the plea deal, avoiding the possibility of a life sentence for Charles.
Prosecutors described the couple as "people unworthy of being called parents," with evidence including numerous videos depicting the harrowing living conditions of the five brothers, four of whom were siblings adopted by the couple after initially being taken in. The probe was sparked after Charles was convicted for three years on a sexual assault charge against another adopted son – who was an adult at the time but had been groomed and tortured since childhood.
The investigation uncovered videos showing the brothers treated worse than prisoners of war, with the evidence leading to the arrest of Mathilda and Charles. Prosecutor Mark J. Tekulv stated, "Images of these emaciated and nude children huddled in a basement room, locked under a key, lying on a cold stone floor like a litter of puppies trying to warm each other, are stomach-churning. Those two are not fit to be parents, and I’m grateful to everyone who has fought to ensure they never will be again. Unfortunately, this is not the first case, nor will it be the last, where my office must bring charges against people masquerading as ‘parents.’"
The severe abuse saw the brothers, aged between 8 and 13 when they joined the "family," subjected to "discipline" such as being locked in a basement with a metal bed – often without mattresses or blankets – and forced to sleep naked on the cold floor. They were regularly denied food and water, with videos showing one brother desperately searching for food in a bin. Another brother was found tied to a bed in the basement, while another recounted having urine and feces rubbed in his eyes as punishment.
Mathilda, sobbing in court, expressed remorse: "I believe God has a purpose for me. I know I’ve made many mistakes, but now I see the whole picture. I want to break this negative cycle. I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart."
TheEdmenson couple’s biological son, Bailey, also pleaded guilty to participating in the abuse. He received a two-year probation sentence after pleading guilty to three misdemeanor counts of endangering a child’s life – initially facing more severe charges before reaching a plea deal.
The brothers are now in new homes, healing and thriving, prosecutor Tekulv told People magazine, adding, "The horrific abuse they suffered is no longer a barrier to their growth. Despite likely needing psychological support throughout their lives, today they are recovering – both physically and emotionally – and beginning to flourish."
