Perkins couple admit abusing adopted boys

By Patti Weaver

(Stillwater, Okla.)  — A Perkins couple, who were foster parents, have been placed on seven years’ probation each for abusing two boys, ages 4 and 5, three months after they adopted them.

Brittany Luv Edwards, 31, admitted choking the boys and hitting or failing to protect them from being hit with a belt that caused injuries, court records show.

John Wayne Edwards, 36, admitted failing to protect the boys from being strangled and hitting or failing to protect them from being hit with a belt, court records show.

The couple, who were arrested at their residence on March 25 by Perkins police, pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse each and were sentenced last week.

An investigation began on March 23 when Perkin Police Officer Shane Dean was sent to the elementary school to speak to a Department of Human Services worker, who saw marks on the face and neck of a 5-year-old boy, his affidavit said.

The 5-year-old told the DHS worker that he got in trouble with his foster parents, Brittany and John Edwards, the affidavit said. The DHS worker said that the couple had adopted three children in December of 2021, the affidavit said.

The 5-year-old said, “John hit him in the face with a belt,” the affidavit said. The 5-year-old said, “a little while later, Brittany came into his bedroom and choked him,” the affidavit said. The DHS worker saw that the 5-year-old had a mark on his right cheek and marks on his neck, the affidavit said.

The 5-year-old said, “he received a spanking on his buttocks with a belt,” but could not remember exactly when and thought it might have been the previous night, the affidavit said.

At the Saville Child Advocacy Center in Stillwater, a nurse said there was evidence of strangulation and physical abuse of the 5-year-old, who said the same thing happened to his 4-year-old brother, the affidavit said. The nurse said there was also evidence of strangulation and physical abuse of the 4-year-old boy, the affidavit said.

The DHS worker said that emergency custody was granted for both boys, as well as a 9-year-old in the home, the affidavit said.