Barreto charges include torture

by Mike Tonos

New and sordid details emerged in last week's indictments of a Union County couple charged in the death of their 2-year-old daughter.

According to a Union County Grand Jury, Ramon and Janet Barreto tortured three of their children by caging one in a closet and tying two others in baby cribs. The Barretos' attorney, Tony Farese, said his clients denied the charges and said use of the term "torture" in the indictment was "all very inflammatory."

The Barretos' daughter Enna died in May after her stepsister, Marainna Torres threw her on a bed. Torres has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by culpable negligence.

The 10-count indictment against the Barretos contains charges of felony child abuse, child neglect or endangerment and manslaughter by culpable negligence.