Introduction to the Case
A mother from Houston, Zaikiya Duncan, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for torturing her 16-year-old twins. The twins escaped their home in handcuffs in 2022 and sought help from a neighbor. Duncan was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault of a family member causing serious bodily injury.
What Happened
The twins escaped their home on October 18, 2022, and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. They were covered in bruises, barefoot, and partially clothed. The children told the neighbor that they were starving and had been enduring unimaginable abuse at the hands of their mother. Ring surveillance camera video from that morning shows the twins standing on their neighbor’s doorstep, pleading for help.
The Abuse
The twins were taken to Texas Children’s Hospital for examinations and treatment. The findings were disturbing, and it was determined that the twins were "severely malnourished" and had lacerations on their wrists consistent with being restrained with handcuffs. The boy’s wrists had blisters and were bleeding, and both of his hands were swollen. The girl was also swollen and bleeding from the wrists and her right finger. The children allegedly told investigators that their mother handcuffed them to a dolly in the laundry room, poured bleach on them, and forced them to drink dangerous household cleaners.
Further Abuse and Neglect
The children said they could not remember the last time they had taken a shower and were denied access to a bathroom, forcing them to soil themselves. They also said their mother would beat them with extension cords, curtain rods, and metal poles. Investigators saw bruises that were consistent with those claims. For food, the children said their mother only fed them mustard sandwiches, relish sandwiches, or bologna sandwiches one to three times a week. She also forced them to drink water from the supply valves used for the washing machine.
The Mother’s History
Records show that Duncan has a documented history with Children’s Protective Services. Louisiana court records show that Duncan was accused in 2012 of three counts of cruelty to juveniles after one of her children, who was 5 years old at the time, was treated for burns consistent with being submerged in hot water. The child also allegedly regularly slept on a closet floor with boards in front of the door to stop them from "escaping and stealing food from the kitchen."
The Trial
The jury took about an hour to unanimously decide that Zaikiya Duncan was guilty of seriously hurting her twins. During the trial, at least one of the teens took the stand, describing the horror and torture they experienced at the hands of their mother. Duncan’s defense denied many of these claims, saying Duncan only admits to whipping her children with a belt if it was warranted. However, the state’s evidence was strong enough to prove to the jury Duncan’s guilt.
Conclusion
Zaikiya Duncan’s case is a disturbing example of child abuse and neglect. The sentence of 45 years in prison reflects the severity of the crimes committed. It is essential for authorities and communities to be vigilant and report any suspicions of child abuse to prevent such horrific cases from occurring. The twins’ bravery in escaping and seeking help has brought their mother to justice, and it is hoped that they will receive the support and care they need to recover from their traumatic experiences.
