Trial set for Ankeny parents accused of locking kids in basement

Trial set for Ankeny parents accused of locking kids in basement

11:56 PM, Dec 14, 2012

Written by

Regina Zilbermints

A Polk County judge has set a trial date for the Ankeny couple accused of locking their adopted children in the basement.

Paul Drake, 45, and JoAnn Drake, 44, were both charged with two counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and two counts of false imprisonment, a misdemeanor.

The trial is set for Feb. 13.

The two are accused of locking their 13-year-old adopted daughter and 14-year-old adopted son in the basement for three to four weeks, feeding them under a locked door and allowing them out only to attend school, according to police reports.

Discipline was reportedly the reason for locking the teens in the basement. Police had been called to their home at least 25 times since February because of complaints about the children.

At a hearing Friday morning, the Drakes sat next to each other as District Judge Scott Rosenberg called them up individually and told each the trial date. They said little as they sat next to each other, leaving immediately after to speak to an attorney. outside the courtroom.

Both parents turned themselves in to police in early November, after one of the alleged victims told a school employee in October. They are now out on bond, which was continued at Friday morning’s hearing.

The family had had counseling, and a neighbor said the Drakes were trying to ensure their family’s safety. The Drakes have three biological children.

Neither parent has a significant criminal record in Iowa, online court records show.

The charges both face are punishable by up to 22 years in prison.