Pocono News Section

Couple Charged with Abusing Four Children

Couple Charged with Abusing Four Children - Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 6:08PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Oct 16, 2008 @ 06:08pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

A Lycoming County couple is accused of abusing their four children for several years.

"I had nothing to do with it. My husband just called 9-1-1 and noticed that his son was turning blue," said 25-year-old Shantle Hurst as she was led into her arraignment in Williamsport.

But investigators allege she and her husband, 48-year-old William Hurst, abused not only one, but all four of their young children, ages two through nine.

"You know the investigators can go to hell and so can you," Mrs. Hurst screamed at reporters outside the magistrate's office.

Authorities say the abuse happened over a period of seven years at an apartment in Williamsport's Newberry neighborhood. Serious injuries to the brain, eye, and arm of the youngest child finally led to charges being filed.

Lycoming County District Attorney Eric Linhardt explained, "The parents' inability and refusal to properly care for their children has now escalated to the point of physical abuse."

We're told Children and Youth Services, as well as several other agencies, repeatedly offered counseling and other help to the Hursts, but to no avail.

Chief County Detective William Weber noted, "A whole bunch of services throughout Lycoming County offer services for children, and there's absolutely no reason why parents can't take advantage of those."

Prosecutors say it was the diligence of those Children and Youth caseworkers that led to charges finally being filed. Now the Hursts' parental rights have been permanently revoked.

Linhardt added, "All of these children are at this time in adoptive or pre-adoptive homes, where they rightfully belong."

Following their arraignments, both William and Shantle Hurst were released on supervised bail. If convicted, they each face up to seven years in jail.

Prosecutors also noted they believe William and Shantle Hurst suffer from mental illness. But both have refused treatment for their conditions.