Yukon couple sentenced in abuse case

Sonja Kluth has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of abusing her three adopted children. Her husband, John Kluth, will serve 20 years in prison. The Yukon couple were convicted of child abuse and child neglect in June.

FROM STAFF REPORTS | Published: July 25, 2012

EL RENO — A Yukon woman has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of abusing her three adopted children. Her husband will serve 20 years in prison.

Sonja Kluth and John Kluth, of Yukon, were found guilty of child abuse and child neglect June 18.

Sonja Kluth, 59, was sentenced to life in prison for the child abuse of the oldest son, and 25 years each on five other child abuse and neglect charges. John Kluth, 58, will serve 10-year sentences consecutively on counts of child abuse and child neglect, but three other 10-year sentences will be served concurrently, court records show.

The sentences were consistent with the jury's recommendations.

The couple beat, choked and burned the children — ages 16, 13 and 10 — who testified they weren't given adequate shelter, sanitation or medical treatment. Testimony showed the children were kept in the parents' underground storm cellar and at times kept in dog crates, said Paul Hesse, assistant district attorney.

The abuse became known after the oldest boy ran away and authorities found him sleeping in a box behind a Braum's in Oklahoma City. The teen has large scars over his body, a broken finger from being struck with a mallet, scars on his chest from where he was stabbed with a small knife, and scars on his hands from where he was whipped, Hesse said.

All three children now live with foster families.

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