Jury trial proposed for parents accused of keeping kids in cages

By Brad Williams

A court hearing, which could have been the climax for a Monroe County child abuse case, has been called off, for now.

Monday’s scheduled plea hearing for Travis and Amy Headrick of Melvina, Wis., has been removed from the court calendar, because the couple now wants a jury trial. 

The Headricks are accused of abuse and neglect for confining some of their children, ages 10 and older, inside homemade cages that were tied shut. 

They were charged in August of 2018.

The Headricks have argued that those actions were for the protection of the children, some of whom have conditions such as attention deficit disorder, to keep them from hurting themselves or each other.

A court hearing which could lead to a trial date is set for next week.