Child allegedly beaten, starved

By AARON MARTIN

JUNEAU — An adoptive mother who allegedly punished her 14-year-old daughter by forcing her to sleep outdoors naked, withholding food and fracturing her fingers has been charged with physical

abuse of a child.

Kathryn G. Kreier, 45, was set free on a signature bond following her initial appearance on the charge in Dodge County Circuit Court Monday.

The girl’s biological father Kenneth J. Krieir , 44, is accused of failure to act to prevent bodily harm to a child. The complaint says he worked away from the home a great deal, and didn’t participate in counseling and therapy sessions.

A criminal complaint says the child abuse spanned from September 2007 to December 2008 while the child lived with the Kreiers on a farm on Hogsback Road in the town of Clyman. During that time the girl’s weight fluctuated from 91 pounds to 70 pounds.

A social worker and detective that visited the Kreier’s home reported that the refrigerator and cupboards were locked to prevent the child from gaining access, according to a child protective services report.

Kathryn Kreier said the locks were necessary because the girl was obsessed with food, that she would steal and hoard it, according to the complaint. Kreier also said the child was defiant, and exhibited other behavioral problems.

Dodgeland school staff reported that Kathryn Kreier insisted the girl not be allowed to eat breakfasts or hot lunches while at school. When a teacher provided the girl with breakfast because she was hungry, Kathryn Kreier reportedly withdrew the girl from the school, and told school officials to “wake up.”

Before the child was withdrawn from school in lieu of homeschooling, teachers reported that she routinely fell asleep in class. Kathryn Kreier said it was because she was trying to get out of work. However, the girl told police that she was required to begin chores on the farm at 4:30 a.m., and wasn’t allowed to eat until they were done. The girl also said at times she would be forced to pick stones from pastures all night long as a form of punishment, according to the complaint.

The girl also reportedly said she was also forced to sleep naked outside all night as punishment for bed wetting, and she was locked out of the home when nobody was there, sometimes for an entire day.

The complaint says the child also outlined physical abuse at the hand of both Kathryn and Kenneth Kreier. Her nose was bloodied on numerous occasions, she was spanked with belts and boards, and her fingers were “pulled,” resulting in fractures.

The complaint says the child was routinely examined by medical professionals. She was also admitted to a variety of hospitals for treatment before being released back into the Kreier’s custody.

While the complaint says Kathryn Kreier said the child’s treatment was punishment for poor or defiant behavior — one child service professional didn’t agree.

A child protective services worker said in a report that Kathryn Kreier, “consistently perceived any issues related to this child as the child’s behavior and mental health problems rather than recognition of her own poor judgment and inappropriate care.”

If convicted of the felony child abuse charge Kathryn Kreier faces up to 15 years in prison. If Kenneth Kreier is convicted of failing to prevent the abuse, he could face 12 ½ years in prison. Both are due back in court for a preliminary hearing to establish probable cause in March.

The child has been removed from the home and is living with her paternal grandparents.

amartin@capitalnewspapers.com