Parents bind daughter with zip-ties.
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A grand jury has indicted an Illinois couple for using plastic zip-ties to bind their teenage daughter to a couch or her father's arm as a form of discipline.
Stephen Rhoten, 51, and his wife, Kathy, 48, of Edwardsville, each face two counts of unlawful restraint in the case, The Belleville News-Democrat reported Friday.
According to the grand jury indictment, the punishment allegedly occurred multiple times but an exact number wasn't included. "This was some type of disciplinary action that they used during that time frame," said Stephanee Smith, a spokeswoman for the Madison County State's Attorney.
Smith says the 14-year-old girl did not suffer any injuries.
Hope Krieger, a neighbor who has known the family for 12 years, told The News-Democrat she is skeptical about the charges.
"They're nice people, and I don't believe it," Krieger said.