A couple has been arrested and is facing child abuse and neglect charges: locking teens in chicken pen
Published by RawNews1st
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Hayford and Menees are accused of locking a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old in a chicken pen and using BB guns to shoot at them.
Washington County detectives said Chantel Hayford and Jerry Menees were taken into custody Tuesday after their home was searched.
The sheriff’s office said Hayford is related to the teens.
Charging documents stated the couple gave the children drugs and alcohol and refused to feed or house them. The reported abuse took place between January 2023 and December 2025.
The sheriff’s office said that evidence suggested a pattern of ongoing abuse, including the couple holding organized “fight nights” at a child’s birthday party, where the children were forced to fight one another.
Charges against Hayford and Menees include kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse or neglect of a child and domestic assault.
The couple is being held without bond. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 20.
