Accused Picatinny Arsenal Child Abusers Make Bail

A couple accused of torturing and abusing their children on the Picatinny Arsenal military base were freed Thursday on $250,000 bail each.

Carolyn and John Jackson appeared before the Hon. Judge Falk in Newark on a 17-count indictment. They were ordered not to have contact with the children.

On Tuesday, Carolyn Jackson, 35, and John Jackson, 37, both of Mount Holly, were indicted by federal authorities for years alleged abuse. The abuse included breaking two of their adopted children's bones, withholding water from them, force-feeding them hot sauce and denying them medical attention, authorities allege.

The couple had fostered and then adopted three children, one of whom died in 2008, and also had three biological children living in their home.

The alleged acts took place between August 2005 and April 23, 2010 on the Morris County military base, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said. The indictment against the couple documents "unimaginable" acts they are accused of committing, such as force-feeding foods like red pepper flakes, raw onions and hot sauce to the kids in an attempt to cause them pain; forcing them to eat high-sodium foods and then depriving them of water; and breaking their bones with objects before denying them medical attention. 

The Jacksons allegedly told their three biological children not to report the assaults and justified the acts as "training" for the adopted children on how to behave. The indictment also claims that one of the biological children was instructed to prevent an adopted child from drinking water from the toilet or sink.