Couple charged with abusing adopted kids

OKLAHOMA CITY, June 30 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma couple accused of abusing their three adopted children has been ordered to face trial after a hearing featuring testimony from one of the children.

The adopted teenage son testified Wednesday against John Edward Kluth, 50, and Sonja K. Kluth, 57, accused of keeping him in a dog crate, beating him and his two siblings and making them eat dog food, The Oklahoman reported.

The Kluths, from Yukon, are charged with child abuse and neglect and were ordered to stand trial after a five-hour preliminary hearing at which the teenager testified.

They are accused of beating, choking and burning their three adopted children, ages 15, 11 and 9, and confining them in a darkened cellar at their home for as long as seven months at a time.

The alleged abuse came to light after the oldest boy ran away and authorities found him sleeping in a box behind a store in Oklahoma City.

All three children were taken into state custody.

The Kluths adopted the children from Wisconsin and had been receiving $4,500 a month in support money until Wisconsin authorities were informed of the arrests, The Oklahoman reported.