Police: Mom Tied Up Adoptees, Collected Money
Officials Find 9 Teens, Young Adults Starving
POSTED: Monday, July 30, 2007
UPDATED: 11:28 pm EDT July 31,
2007
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- A Port St. Lucie woman abused children she adopted and used them to collect government payments, according to authorities. Nine teenagers and young adults were held like prisoners in Judith Leekin's home, officials said. Investigators said the adoptees soiled themselves regularly and were often handcuffed and tethered together with plastic ties. None appear to have more than a fourth-grade education, not even the adults in their 20s, according to officials, who said all of them were starving when they were found. Investigators have not yet confirmed the identities of the young people and have not established how long Leekin had them. Authorities said they believe she adopted all of them in New York City under at least five aliases over two decades. Leekin was arrested and jailed on 11 charges, including aggravated elder and child abuse. Leekin and her attorney had no comment. Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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