Lexington woman accused of locking child in cage, abuse

By JOSH KEGLEY

McClatchy Newspapers

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A Lexington woman faces abuse and other charges for allegations that she attempted to suffocate her children and made them jump off a roof. She also is accused of locking one of them in a dog cage.

Lexington police have charged Cheryl G. Christopher, 51, with first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. Her husband, Elisha B. Christopher, 69, is charged with first-degree criminal abuse because he "allowed another to abuse his 9-year-old child by strangulation and did not report or prevent them from being abused by his wife," according to a police report.

Lexington police Sgt. Jesse Harris told the Lextington Herald-Leader there were six children in the home. He said police began investigating the Christophers on June 15, after receiving reports of possible child abuse from social services.

Harris said the Christophers are not the biological parents of the children, who range in age from 7 to 15. He said police have gotten reports that they are the adoptive parents of some of the children, but detectives are still investigating.

Police executed a search warrant on Thursday. Harris said detectives found evidence that corroborated the reports of child abuse.

He said police think the abuse has been ongoing for several years.

The couple were arrested about 1:42 p.m. Thursday. They appeared via video Friday afternoon in Fayette District Court for an arraignment.

Neither of the Christophers showed any emotion. They asked Judge Joseph Bovier to reduce their bonds, but Bovier refused "due to the dangerous nature of the allegations."

Cheryl Christopher was being held on a $15,000 full cash bond. Her husband was being held on a $5,000 bond.

Cheryl and Elisha Christopher did not have attorneys, so the judge entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.

The Christophers were being held at the Fayette County jail. They are scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 28.