Introduction to the Case
A Victorville, Los Angeles, family accused of “repetitively” torturing six children pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance Thursday with a judge ordering them to be held without bail.
Tina Marie Sheffield Key, 60, Kenneth Michael Key, 60, and daughter Kaitlynn Marresa Key, 23, were individually brought in to attend the hearing as they were read the 12 charges against them, including torture and child abuse.
Allegations of Abuse
Prosecutors allege the six children, whose current ages range from 6 to 16, were subjected to abuse that included daily beatings and strangulation to the point of unconsciousness. Punishments included withholding food and water from the children for days, the district attorney’s office said.
Duration of the Abuse
As prosecutors alleged the torture took place for “a couple of years,” the oldest of the victims was able to escape the house and flag for help. “The 16-year-old was able to get out of the house, went to a local store and indicated there were some obvious concerns,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said.
Investigation and Evidence
Anderson said the harrowing experience that the victims went through is a “horror story,” similar to the Turpin case, in which 13 children were tortured, imprisoned and starved by their biological parents. “When you’re dealing with the repetitive nature of it, the most I’ll say is that it clearly is physical, emotional and nutritional abuse.” Some of the older victims kept records of the abuse, according to the district attorney, by having written documents and taking pictures on their iPads and cameras.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigators are also conducting foreign interviews to trace back the children’s previous injuries, such as bone and skeletal scans, Anderson explained. Although the district attorney said the six victims rescued last week lived with the Key family for about two years, the three suspects were accused of committing torture and child abuse between February 2015 through February 2025.
Conclusion
The case of the six Victorville children who endured torture until the oldest escaped is a disturbing reminder of the horrors that some children face in their own homes. The accused, Tina Marie Sheffield Key, Kenneth Michael Key, and Kaitlynn Marresa Key, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, but the evidence collected by investigators, including records kept by the victims themselves, paints a grim picture of the abuse they suffered.
FAQs
- Q: How many children were allegedly tortured by the Key family?
- A: Six children, ranging in age from 6 to 16.
- Q: What kind of abuse did the children suffer?
- A: The children were subjected to daily beatings, strangulation, and withholding of food and water.
- Q: How did the abuse come to light?
- A: The oldest child, 16, escaped the house and sought help at a local store.
- Q: Are there any similarities to other known cases of child abuse?
- A: Yes, the case is compared to the Turpin case, where 13 children were tortured, imprisoned, and starved by their biological parents.
- Q: What is the current status of the accused?
- A: Tina Marie Sheffield Key, Kenneth Michael Key, and Kaitlynn Marresa Key have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bail.
