Montco Man Accused Of Abusing Kids With Shock Collars, Pliers
LOWER PROVIDENCE Twp., Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County man is facing a long list of charges on allegations he beat and abused his children for years.
According to charging documents, 44-year-old Joseph Myhre, of Greensway Circle in Lower Providence Township, home schooled his two children.
In the documents, police said his 11-year-old daughter told them going back to when she was 4-or-5 years old, her father would hit her on the head with sticks or PVC pipes. He would strangle her and beat her head on the ground until she entered into a "dream state." The girl said her father would squeeze her fingers with pliers, stick needles in her fingers and toes, and use a dog shock collar that she said would leave burn marks.
The 13-year-old son told investigators that Myhre would kick him the stomach, or hit him on his feet with a stick that would cause him to bleed. According to the documents, the boy also told police Myhre would put the dog shock collar on the back of his leg or on his stomach, then walk around the room acting normal while the boy was being shocked and yelling in pain.
According to charging documents, the children had wooden boxes for beds with a small opening and vents to let in air.
Investigators said an audio recording was found on a phone. The recording lasts 53 minutes. In it, the affidavit says a male voice can be heard calmly talking while children are screaming in pain. The male voice is quoted saying things like, "He doesn't care, he didn't give me a hug for 10 minutes," and "You can blame your mom for this."
The affidavit also says there were white boards in the living room of the home with messages described as "threatening and manipulative in nature."
The child abuse allegations came to light after Myhre's wife was hospitalized with a broken skull. While investigating that case, police interviewed the children.
Investigators say when Myhre was questioned by police, he gave a written statement saying he grabbed his children by the neck and arms, and hit the children with sticks. The documents say he told police the children never cried or told him they were in pain. According to the affidavit, Myhre said he put vice grips on his daughter's fingers but only "playing around" to feel what it felt like to grip our fingers.
In addition to previous charges based on the allegations from his wife, Myhre is now facing twelve-counts of aggravated assault of a child less than 13, four-counts of unlawful restraint of a child, two counts of endangering welfare of children, and numerous misdemeanors.
He's in the county prison on 1-million dollars bail.