Couple Charged With Child Abuse

A school bus driver and her husband have been charged with 34 counts of rape, sexual abuse and criminal mistreatment of their adopted and foster children.

Police arrested Thomas Francis Crapser, 45, and Dolly Crapser, 46, after a 2 1/2-month investigation, said Kirk Engdall, a deputy district attorney for Marion County.

Engdall said the allegations involve gagging and beating, striking on the head with a clubbing device, hitting with a belt, kicking, shoving against a wall, force-feeding and causing a dog to bite children in the couple's care.

The criminal charges involve five boys and three girls ages 6 to 13. The incidents allegedly occurred during the past six years.

Thomas Crapser was indicted on 23 counts. He is accused of raping a foster or adopted daughter. In addition, Crapser is accused of criminally mistreating and assaulting children.

Dolly Crapser is accused of 11 counts that include similar assaults and mistreatment, Engdall said.

Most of the children have been placed in foster homes, but two remain with relatives of the Craspers, authorities said.