McDonough man posts bond in child abuse case

LAW & ORDER: McDonough man posts bond in child abuse case

Author: KATHY JEFCOATS, RHONDA COOK

A McDonough father accused by police of punishing his two adopted children through exercise and withholding food posted his $100,000 bond late Thursday night, officials said.

Earl Thomas Dinkler, 51, was arrested Tuesday and charged with child abuse and battery, McDonough police said. His wife, Deborah Lynn Williamson-Dinkler, 45, is also charged but had not posted her $100,000 bond Friday afternoon, said Henry County jail Deputy Chief David McCart.

Their children, a girl, 13, and boy, 11, were adopted from Ukraine. They were being home schooled through Veritas Classical Schools, a regional program with campuses in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Police said the children were put in state custody after their parents' arrests when a medical exam turned up bruises.

Earl Dinkler is a member of the McDonough Board of Zoning Appeals. Deborah Williamson-Dinkler operates a Web-based scrap-booking business and taught the popular craft in her McDonough home, according to her Web site.