Probation For Couple Who Kept Children in Wire Cage

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Prosecutors have reluctantly agreed to a plea deal with a Greentown couple who admitted to keeping their adopted children in a wire cage.

Howard County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mark McCann said he signed off on the deal that will allow Teresa and Jay Moody to avoid jail time to save the victims any further suffering.

"We felt that them having to go to trial would have a serious detrimental effect on their mental health," he told 6News' Jennifer Carmack.

Under the agreement, the Moodys pleaded guilty to child neglect and will be placed on supervised probation for two years. They are also prohibited from being foster parents.

An 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were removed from the Moodys' home in December 2005 and placed in foster care.The couple was arrested after a three-month investigation. Officials said the children were confined to a wire cage at their horse farm and forced to sit on an unhygienic, hard mat within a horse stall, sometimes during cool, harsh weather.

Police said the Moodys also subjected the children to other unconventional forms of punishment, such as withholding food for extended periods as punishment for failing to complete chores. The couple did not acknowledge those accusations.

The couple's attorney, Mike Bolinger, told Carmack that he saw no need to make a statement about the case.Meanwhile, many area residents said they were outraged by the case and the lack of jail time.

"I think it's pathetic. I think they should have been put away just the same as if they had beat those kids," said Kokomo resident Hellen Snyder.

"Oh I think they need to be put in jail for it. I think that's ridiculous," said Kokomo resident Randy Hines. "I mean, there's no reason for that. It's just not right."Both children were removed from the home and are said to be showing signs of improvement.