Parents charged with locking child in chicken coop

TAYLOR Co., Ga. -- The parents of a Georgia girl allegedly locked in a chicken coop have been arrested, according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

An investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Family and Children Services followed information that the child was being abused at the residence of Diana and Samuel Franklin.

The allegations included "locking the child in a storage building, chicken coop and outhouse for days at a time," according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation news release.

Diana Franklin has been charged with 12 counts of 1st degree Cruelty to Children and four counts of false imprisonment.

Samuel Franklin has been charged with eight counts of 1st degree cruelty to children and eight counts of false imprisonment.

During the initial visit by DFCS on May 25, investigators found sufficient cause to seek a temporary custody order, which remains in effect.

Franklins' lawyer, Kevin Bradley, could not be reached for comment.

The GBI launched their investigation at the request of Taylor County Sheriff Jeff Watson. Special Agent Wayne Smith and Child Abuse Specialist Leigh Brooks headed the investigation, which began May 30 and culminated in the execution of a search warrant on June 4.

The investigation remains active and the GBI is not releasing any other information at this time.

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