Jacob Bartels & Patty Jo Marsh |
Chattooga County, GA -- A mother and father in Georgia have been charged with child cruelty after authorities say they discovered six of the seven children in their custody were tattooed with a home-made device.
Sheriff John Everett says the children, a 10-year-old, two 11-year-olds, a 12-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were tattooed with a black cross on their hand.
Out of the seven children, only the youngest child did not get a tattoo.
Patty Jo Marsh and her husband, Jacob Bartels, did the tattoos in their Summerville home.
They cleaned up a tattoo machine someone gave them, and used guitar strings as a needle.
Georgia law prohibits tattoos from anyone other than a licensed professional.
Children under 18 are also prohibited from getting tattoos.
The sheriff says the couple is free on bond and are expected in court to answer the charges.
A court date has not been scheduled yet.
Sheriff John Everett says the children, a 10-year-old, two 11-year-olds, a 12-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were tattooed with a black cross on their hand.
Out of the seven children, only the youngest child did not get a tattoo.
Patty Jo Marsh and her husband, Jacob Bartels, did the tattoos in their Summerville home.
They cleaned up a tattoo machine someone gave them, and used guitar strings as a needle.
Georgia law prohibits tattoos from anyone other than a licensed professional.
Children under 18 are also prohibited from getting tattoos.
The sheriff says the couple is free on bond and are expected in court to answer the charges.
A court date has not been scheduled yet.
