Parents Accused Of Child Abuse Face Judge

Parents Accused Of Child Abuse Face Judge

POSTED: 4:55 pm EDT August 15, 2006

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- A Clark County couple accused of abusing five of their adopted children faced a judge on Tuesday. Officials said they attempted to have one of their cases thrown out but were denied.

The Fergusons are accused of abusing their children in both Union and Clark counties. On Tuesday, they pleaded not guilty to the 63 charges between them.

James and Vonda Ferguson walked in the courtroom, along with more than a dozen supporters of family and friends who do not believe the allegations against them are true.

James Ferguson was charged with 20 counts of child endangering, five counts of permitting child abuse and five counts of felonious assault.

Vonda Ferguson is facing a few additional charges, including an extra felonious assault accusation and two other abuse-related charges.

The indictments against the Fergusons' claim the two tortured or cruelly abused the children. Investigators said the Ferguson’s used corporal punishment, resulting in serious physical harm.

The judge allowed the Fergusons to stay out of jail on their own recognizance while the case moves forward.

The children were removed from the home in 2004, and the couple is not allowed any contact with any of their children.

The attorney for James Ferguson asked that his client’s case be dismissed, claiming the indictment was defective. The request was overruled.