Couple accused of abusing adopted daughter.

Couple accused of abusing adopted daughter

Ann Weaver

The Daily Oklahoman

Dec. 31--CHANDLER -- A Stroud teacher and her husband face child abuse charges after their children accused the woman of beating her adopted daughter. Beth Marie Houtz and Douglas Allen Houtz, both 42 and of Stroud, each were charged with one count of child abuse Friday in Lincoln County District Court. Stroud Police Chief Lucky Miller said Beth Houtz was arrested Dec. 23 after her 15-year-old and 18-year-old daughters told police they no longer could keep quiet about the abuse of their 14-year-old sister. According to court records, the 18-year-old said Beth Houtz on Dec. 22 repeatedly kicked the 14-year-old in the face after ordering her to pick up trash off the floor. The teenager said her mother broke her sister's glasses and bloodied her nose.

"It's a real Cinderella story," Lincoln County Assistant District Attorney Clayton Niemeyer said. "The girls say their mother never abused them, but was always after their adopted sister." Niemeyer said the siblings witnessed their mother hold the 14-year-old's head under water, beat her with hangers and kitchen utensils, restrain the girl and punch her in the face. The 14-year-old told police Beth Houtz recently hit her in the head with a hammer while they were fixing a fence in the back yard, he said. According to court records, police reported the 14-year-old had a bruised cheek and a gash on her head when they visited her home Dec. 23. She gave police the rag she used on her bloody nose, her broken glasses and a hammer that Beth Houtz allegedly struck her with, records show. Beth Houtz was arrested that day and released from the county jail on $5,000 bail. Douglas Houtz was arrested Friday and released from jail on $5,000 bail.

The girls told police their father knew about the abuse, but wouldn't do anything about it.