Couple inflicted horrific abuse on adopted daughter, police say

CLARION, Pa. — A married couple in Clarion County is accused of withholding medication from their adopted daughter, duct taping her hands and locking her in a closet for hours.

According to investigators, the couple had six children who were all home-schooled, but one girl who was adopted received severe punishments.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office has charged Samantha Ferguson, 26.

Investigators said she punished one of her adopted daughters by keeping her in a utility closet with exposed wires and piping.

Ferguson is accused of handcuffing or duct taping the girl's hands together, and even her mouth to keep her quiet.

According to police, she was handcuffed to a bed five to seven times in the Corseca home. The criminal complaint goes on to say:

"...the Ferguson's stopped giving Jane Doe 1 her medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and halted her in person therapy due to their religious beliefs that they could pray away Jane Doe 1's problems."

The parents are charged with endangering the welfare of a child and false imprisonment.

The victim and her sister, who was also adopted by the Fergusons, were undergoing trauma therapy for sexual and physical abuse in their prior home.

Both girls are now in custody of Children and Youth Services.