Nine children have been removed from an Ohio home after investigators uncovered alleged abuse, severe living conditions and punishments that reportedly included forcing children to stand for hours with nails placed between their toes.
Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacquelyn Coleman, 32, were arrested after authorities investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect at a property in Etna Township, Licking County. Both face third-degree felony charges of child endangerment.
The investigation began after Child Protective Services referred the case to the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives searched the property on National Road SW on October 13, 2026, and reported finding conditions that raised serious concerns about the children’s safety and well-being.
Twelve people, ranging in age from 1 to 64, were living at the property, including nine children between the ages of 1 and 13. Authorities said Parr was the father of seven of the children, while Coleman was the mother of all nine.
Following the search, all nine children were removed from the home and placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The allegations described in the criminal complaint and investigative records have raised concerns about the children’s treatment, access to basic necessities and the conditions in which some of them were living.
Investigators Describe Alleged Punishments Inside the Home
According to the criminal complaint, the reported abuse occurred between April 6, 2023, and October 13, 2026.
The allegations included inadequate access to food and water, insufficient living space, physical punishment and prolonged restraint. Investigators were also told that some children were locked behind cages or barriers.
One particularly disturbing allegation involved children being forced to stand against a wall for extended periods, sometimes in a squatting position with their hands raised.
A case report described a child telling a social worker that he and his brother were subjected to the punishment daily, at different hours of the day.
The report also alleged that cameras had been positioned toward the wall so Parr could monitor whether the children remained in place.
According to the report, nails were placed between the children’s toes to prevent them from shifting their weight or leaning to one side.
These allegations are part of the ongoing criminal case and have not been established as proven facts in court.
Children Allegedly Locked Up to Prevent Them From Taking Food
The investigation also raised questions about how the children were treated when they wanted food at night.
According to the allegations described in the case materials, children were locked behind cages or barriers to prevent them from getting food during nighttime hours.
The reported restrictions, along with allegations involving inadequate food and water, have become a central part of the concerns about the children’s living conditions.
Investigators also documented concerns about the amount of space available to the family and whether the home provided a safe environment for the children.
At least four children were reportedly living in a shed on the property with Parr and Coleman.
The allegations paint a picture of a household in which some children may have faced both physical punishment and restrictions on their everyday needs. Authorities have not yet presented a final judicial determination of the allegations.
Child Reportedly Became Frightened During Interview
The case report also described an encounter between a social worker and one of the children.
When the worker brought up the alleged wall-squat punishments, the child reportedly became frightened and began crying.
According to the report, the child repeatedly said he could not continue the conversation and needed to leave. He then ran out of the room, and the worker was unable to persuade him to discuss the alleged treatment further.
The account is one of several details investigators documented while examining the children’s circumstances.
Child-protection investigations can involve interviews with children, assessments of their living arrangements and efforts to determine whether they face immediate risks. In this case, authorities removed all nine children from the property following the search.
Their removal placed the children in CPS custody while the legal process moved forward.
Investigators Reportedly Found Unsanitary Conditions
The allegations were not limited to the children’s treatment. Investigators also described serious sanitation problems inside the property.
A deputy’s report characterized the bathroom as being in extremely poor condition. The toilet was reportedly blackened with grime, and dirty dishes covered the shower floor, with insects crawling over them.
The deputy also reported finding what appeared to be a pile of green feces near the bathroom entrance, with bugs moving in and out of it.
These observations added to investigators’ concerns about whether the home was suitable for the children, particularly those as young as 1 year old.
Unsanitary living conditions can create additional risks for young children, who may be more vulnerable to infections and other environmental hazards. Authorities’ concerns in this case included both the physical conditions of the property and the reported treatment of the children.
The investigation will help determine which allegations can be supported through evidence in court.
Mother Reportedly Expressed Concerns About the Punishment
The case report also described Coleman’s reported response to questions about the wall-squat punishment.
According to the document, Coleman said she disagreed with the punishment but allowed it because she did not have another place to stay.
That account is part of the investigative record and does not, by itself, establish the full circumstances surrounding her actions or the allegations against her.
Both defendants have been charged in connection with the case. The charges remain allegations, and each defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.
Father Denies the Allegations
During a court appearance, Parr denied the accusations against him.
“It’s not true. I love my kids. I would die for my kids,” he said in courtroom footage.
His denial contrasts with the allegations detailed in the complaint and investigative report. The criminal proceedings will provide an opportunity for the allegations and evidence to be examined through the legal process.
Parr and Coleman are being held at the Licking County Justice Center, with bond set at $150,000 for each defendant.
Both are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings on October 23, 2026.
What Happens Next?
The next stage of the case will involve the preliminary hearings, where the court can consider whether sufficient evidence exists for the charges to proceed.
Meanwhile, the nine children have been removed from the residence and placed under CPS custody. Their placement and welfare are separate from the criminal proceedings against the adults.
The investigation has highlighted several issues that authorities must examine, including the alleged physical punishments, restrictions on food, the reported use of cages or barriers and the condition of the home.
For now, the charges against Parr and Coleman remain unresolved. Further court proceedings are expected to determine how the case moves forward and whether the allegations can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
