Adoptive parents of 5 accused of abuse

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Five Alaska children suffered abuse, neglect and violent, often bizarre punishments at the hands of their adoptive parents, authorities say.

Sherry Kelley, 35, and her husband, Patrick, 43, are in jail facing multiple charges of assault and kidnapping, the latter based on confining one of the boys against his will, the Anchorage Daily News said Thursday. Each is being held on $100,000 bail.

The children include two boys, ages 10 and 13, and three girls, 6, 14 and 15. The oldest three are biological siblings. Investigator Leonard Wallner said the children were in a new home, still together.

One boy was sealed naked in a coffin-like box, according to the charges. The other boy suffered burns in February that became infected. Both told troopers of being struck with a shovel and other tools. None of the children had been to school in years and often had to fend for themselves to eat, the police report said.