Abuse allegations against Scott Co. couple go back three years

Abuse allegations against Scott Co. couple go back three years

August 6, 2004

By CATHARYN CAMPBELL

6 News Reporter

SCOTT COUNTY (WATE) -- 6 News has found the first report of child abuse against a couple charged this week in Scott County was nearly three years ago.

Aaron Mann, 44, and his wife, Linda Mann, 56, are charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect. They were released from jail Wednesday after they posted bonds of $200,000 each.

The Manns have been the focus of three DCS investigations and there have been at least four other reports alleging neglect.

In September 2001, a complaint came in about physical abuse of one of the children.

In April 2003, there were more allegations about physical abuse regarding two of the Mann's five adopted children.

And in January 2004, all the children in the Mann's home were interviewed after someone reported concerns of nutritional neglect.

In all those cases, the investigations didn't find enough evidence to warrant charges. But that changed with the call from a neighbor and a search on August 3rd.

The search of the Mann's house Monday turned up important clues for detectives. They say they found signs of physical and emotional abuse, along with neglect. "We picked up indications that there were all of those forms of abuse," said Detective Robby Carson. "And if it pans out, there could be more charges along those lines, too."

6 News spoke with Carla Aaron, a representative from the Department of Children's Services, by phone Friday. She said in the past instances, investigators could never prove abuse.

"I think in some of the cases, managers came back with some concerns and issues," Aaron said. "But we didn't have the proof that we thought was necessary to go into juvenile court and ask for any type of legal action."

Detectives say the previous reports could make the current case stronger. "Those aren't the only files that exist on them, at this point," Detective Carson said. "We think when we get all of those files together, we'll get with the attorney general and if there's a picture there that we can do something, then we'll go ahead and do it."

Investigators also say more information about the couple continues pouring into their office. "We've received several phone calls from people that have information about things they've seen that relate to the way the kids were treated," Carson said.

Next week, detectives will follow up on the phone calls. They plan to submit the evidence collected from the Mann's home to the TBI's main crime lab in Nashville.