Kentucky parents charged after allegedly taping their children’s mouths shut

WAYNE COUNTY, Ky. – A pair of Wayne County parents are facing criminal charges after one of them allegedly duct-taped their children’s mouths shut.

Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron says deputies and officers with the Monticello Police Department responded to a report of a woman screaming at and yanking a child in the back parking lot of the Wayne County Judicial Center on April 18.

Authorities conducted a traffic stop and found four children in the vehicle. Two of the children had duct tape over their mouths.

Catron says the woman told officers she could “discipline her children however she wanted,” and that this wasn’t the first time she covered their mouths with duct tape.

Officers arrested Anna Bencosme of Monitcello. She is charged with two counts of first-degree strangulation (domestic violence), two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.

The children were placed into the custody of their father, Gabriel Bencosme, who has now also been arrested, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say an investigation led to an arrest warrant being served on Gabriel Bencosme on Wednesday. According to deputies, Benscosme faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, endangering the welfare of a minor and failure to report child depend neglect or abuse, first offense.

Both individuals were lodged at the Wayne County Detention Center.

Catron says the case was referred to the Kentucky Department of Child Protection Cabinet.

The investigation is ongoing.