Ala. Couple Accused of Using Blowtorch to Torture 3 Children

Ashleigh Ableman and her boyfriend, Howard Anderson, are each charged with torture/willful abuse of a child

An Alabama mother and her boyfriend are behind bars, accused of burning three children under the age of 12 with blowtorches.

Ashleigh Ableman, 27, and Howard Anderson, 53, were booked into Dale County Jail Oct. 5 on charges of torture/willful abuse of a child, according to Dale County Sheriff’s Office online records.

The couple is accused of burning the children several times, and investigators say there is evidence of additional abuse, WDHN reports.

The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for additional information on the case. It was not immediately clear if either Ableman or Anderson had retained lawyers.

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In Alabama, the torture and willful abuse of a child is considered a Class C felony, which, following a conviction, may carry a sentence of 1 to 10 years or a fine of as much as $15,000.

No bond has yet been set for the couple.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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