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The Eagle Mountain couple accused of severely abusing and neglecting two children in their care returned to court today.
Mary Heath and Sekoa Aiono both have their own attorneys now, who will be defending them against charges of aggravated sexual abuse and nine counts of child abuse.
Prosecutors allege that the couple locked Heath's 9-year-old niece and 8-year-old nephew in separate bathrooms, fed them sparingly, physically abused them and sexually abused the boy.
Prosecutors say they are ready to take their case to trial and today handed over their evidence against the couple to the defense attorneys, who will now have to respond.
"I'm mandated by my own conscience, as well as my rules of professional conduct, to look at every avenue and explore every avenue in a defense for my client," defense attorney David Drake said.
Prosecutor Craig Johnson said, "We're confident that we can show beyond a reasonable doubt that each one of these charges are sustained and that both defendants were active participants in this event.
Police were called to the couple's home in Eagle Mountain on Oct.14 after a neighbor reported a young girl was outside, using newspaper to keep warm.
It was later discovered the girl had escaped through a bathroom window and that her younger brother was locked in a separate bathroom. Police initially feared he was dead but found him to be in critical condition from severe malnourishment.
Both children have been in the hospital. We asked prosecutors today for an update on their condition, but they said, because of privacy laws, they couldn't discuss their health. Although, they said the children are in need of prayers.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
