Child Abuse, Torture Investigation; Woman Arrested

Posted: May 25, 2012 2:55 PM EDT

By KMPH Web Staff - email

Kelly Morris

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KMPH) -

A Hanford woman is behind bars, accused of abusing and torturing her adopted children.

Kings County Sheriff's Deputies say 50-year-old Kelly Morris abused the four children -- ages 12 through 16 -- over the course of several years.

Deputies say they interviewed the children and found out Morris severely beat them with a belt and forced a child's head under water in a bath tub.

Investigators say photos taken by the sheriff's office showed the children had severe bruises on their backs and shoulders.

Morris was arrested Thursday and booked into the Kings County Jail on charges of felony child abuse, torture and assault with a deadly weapon. Her bail has been set at more than $1 million.

Child Protective Services has removed the children from the home.

Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.