Shock Collar Allegedly Used On 15 Year Old Girl
Diana and Samuel Franklin of Georgia, were arrested Tuesday on multiple charges of child abuse and false imprisonment. This after their 15 year old adopted daughter reported being a victim to authorities.
The couple was arrested Tuesday, after authorities conducted a search on the home. The daughter told authorities that she had been held in a chicken coop, and an electric shock dog collar was used on her. The collar was activated by a remote key fob, and could be used by anyone in possession of the remote. During the first search, authorities from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), only found a receipt for the collar, not the collar itself.
“The child basically said that there were just a series of fairly severe, what can be described as punishments, for various things that the child allegedly did — some as simple as not doing homework and then others like taking food.” GBI Wayne Smith in an interview with WSB radio in Atlanta.
When the couple was arrested this week, the collar was found. It has been sent off to the lab to be tested for DNA. WTVM talked to neighbors who said they saw that the girl seemed to be in rough shape. They have seen the girl working in the garden in the heat of the day. One neighbor told WTVM that Mrs. Franklin admitted to the behaviors towards the girl.
“Another neighbor told WTVM that Diana Franklin told her that she was “doing what the Bible says” when disciplining her adoptive daughter. The neighbor, who did not go on camera, also told WTVM that the mother would only feed the teen bread and water, as punishment, for days.” – WTVM Report
Right now the girl is in the temporary custody of the Department of Family and Child Services (DFACS). There will be a juvenile court custody hearing held soon.
Diana Franklin is charged with 12 counts of cruelty to children and 4 counts of false imprisonment. Her husband Samuel is charged with 8 counts of cruelty to children and 8 counts of false imprisonment. The arrest stems from the investigation that was opened in May. The attorney for Diana and Samuel Franklin deny the charges.
