A San Bernardino County couple was arrested for allegedly beating two children with a horse whip and locking one of them in a cage for a month, authorities said Friday.
Lynferd Schwartz, 51, and Carrie Schwartz, 49, were taken into custody Wednesday by a deputy responding to a follow-up call from Children and Family Services at a home in the 35000 block of Riverview Lane in the town of Hinkley, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Bennington, of the Barstow Sheriff’s Station, stated that two 17-year-old boys had been whipped with a 5-foot-long horse whip. One of the teenagers had scars on both his arms and legs, the release stated.
The other boy had been locked in a cage for approximately one month, from June to July, and was only let out for meals, according to the release.
The boy was allegedly forced to use a bucket as a restroom.
A 4 foot by 4 foot steel cage, equipped with padlocks was found at the home, along with a whip, the release stated.
A baby monitor was pointed directly toward the cage to alert the couple if there was movement inside, according to Bennington.
Both adults were arrested on suspicion of felony child cruelty and were being held on $100,000 each.
The boys were removed from the home as was a 17-year-old girl.
There was no indication she had been a victim of any crime, the deputy stated.
Anyone with additional information was urged to contact Deputy Bennington at 760-256-4838. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the WE-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.