NJ couple faces federal child abuse charges

NJ couple faces federal child abuse charges

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — An Army major and his wife are facing a 17-count indictment in New Jersey that charges they disciplined three foster children by withholding food and water and assaulting them severely enough to cause broken bones.

John and Carolyn Jackson of Mount Holly were detained today pending a bail hearing.

The alleged abuse occurred when the family lived at Picatinny Arsenal, a military installation about 35 miles west of New York City. A spokesman for the arsenal said the Jacksons lived there from 2007 to 2012.

The U.S. attorney’s office says two foster children and the Jacksons’ three biological children are in the custody of state child protective services. One of the foster children, referred to by the initials “J.J. (hash)2,” died in 2008.