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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A trial has been set for a Utah County couple who's accused of beating and starving their adopted Russian children.
38-year-old Reed Hansen and 40-year-old Teresa Hansen of Saratoga Springs are charged with several counts of child abuse and neglect.
Authorities said the couple punished their children by withholding food for days at a time. The alleged incidents happened between July 2001 and February 2002.
Defense attorneys have said the kids were suffering from a pre-existing medical condition and that's why they appeared malnourished.
The adopted children, who were four and five when the charges were filed, have since been adopted by other families.
The Hansens also allegedly abused their biological son. He is now seven-years-old and living with his parents.
A trial date has been set for January 9th.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
