Schatz couple to be in court Thursday

A Paradise couple accused of beating their 7-year-old adopted daughter to death are scheduled to be in court Thursday morning for a further arraignment hearing and the setting of their jury trial.

Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz each face two life terms in prison. They are charged with murder, torture and cruelty to a child for the Feb. 6 death of Lydia Schatz, and the severe beating of Zariah Schatz, which required hospitalization.

Both girls reportedly had whip-like marks, believed to have been made with a quarter-inch plumbing supply line. Each girl is reported to have been beaten for several hours. According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, it appears the Schatzes followed child training and disciplinary methods espoused by Michael and Debi Pearl, the authors of a controversial parenting book, "To Train Up a Child."

The Schatzes are the parents of six biological children and three adopted children. Lydia and Zariah were adopted along with an infant girl from an African orphanage about three years ago.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Last month, they waived their preliminary hearing. Both are being held in the Butte County Jail on bail of $2 million each. Thursday's hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Butte County Superior Court.