A Florida couple allegedly forced their young daughter to drink “homemade hot sauce” as a twisted punishment for lying – among other horrifying discipline tactics, according to authorities.
Ashley Eldredge, 37, and Robert Eldredge, 38, were booked into jail on one count of child abuse within hours of a school resource officer reporting the potential maltreatment of their daughter to cops on March 12, according to an arrest affidavit by the Cocoa Police Department, Fox 35 Orlando reported.
The child, whose age wasn’t immediately known, told detectives that Ashley would force her to gulp down the sauce, made with “red peppers, onions and oil,” whenever she was suspected of fibbing, the outlet reported.
The sick concoction “made her stomach hurt and causes her to vomit” – but if she hesitated to drink it, her mother would allegedly hold her nose closed, preventing her from being able to breathe, the girl reportedly told investigators, adding that she’s “allergic” to the sauce.
She was forced to drink it ten times, she said.
The daughter also told police her parents would “whoop” her – sometimes with objects like a belt or wooden spoon.
“As to why she was disciplined, she stated that it was because she put ‘ink on the cat’ and that it was only part of an experiment,” the affidavit stated.
“As to how many times [REDACTED] struck her, the victim stated ‘15′ times by his hand.”
Police learned that the girl had most recently endured the hot sauce discipline, as well as been struck by both parents, on March 11, according to News 6.
In interviews with detectives, Ashley reportedly admitted to serving her daughter the homemade hot sauce, which Robert confirmed.
When police confronted him about the girl’s bruises, Robert claimed she tended to self-harm – but admitted any bruises from a belt were from him, the outlet reported.
“According to Robert Eldredge, he had used the belt on the victim as punishment because she ‘wrote the same 14 sentences’ and that he ‘whooped her ass,’” the affidavit read.
Detectives and doctors found physical evidence of abuse on the girl, including multiple welts and bruises.
Her parents are currently in custody at the Brevard County Jail, and are scheduled to make their next court appearance on April 7.
Ashley’s bond was set at $5,000, with Robert’s set at $50,000.
Defense attorneys for the Eldredges could not be reached for comment.
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