Adoptive Parents Charged With Child Cruelty

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A couple is charged with beating two children they adopted six months ago.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office charged Pamela and Dwayne Hardy on cruelty toward a child charges.

The children, ages 6 and 9, told investigators they were sometimes deprived of food for several days and would sneak food out of a trashcan.

The Sheriff's Office said the children also indicated they were beaten with a paddle, wooden spoon and a belt.

According to the arrest report, deputies found dried blood on a paddle in the home, which the 6-year-old said was called "the law."

Investigators said the 9-year-old boy had scars and bruising on his buttocks, which he said were caused by his adoptive parents.

The boy said Pamela Hardy punished him for "not showing love" by depriving him of food.

Deputies said both parents declined to give a statement in response to the claims made by the children. They were arrested Wednesday.

Both children have been placed in a foster home.

Dwayne Hardy, 49, and Pamela Hardy, 46, have been released from the jail on $7,100 bond each.

"I saw one kid's hands all bruised," said Kevin Vega, who used to play with with the 9-year-old boy. "He told me his mom hit him with a paddle."

Neighbor Yanina Miolan said she witnessed Pamela Hardy punish the 6-year-old girl by forcing the child do calisthentics.

"Her mom would make her do jumping jacks," said Miolan. "And while she did jumping jacks she had to say sorry to her."