Mascot, TN – A Tennessee couple has been arrested after deputies discovered their seven children living in horrific conditions, including one child who told investigators he was locked inside a dog cage and beaten with a metal pole by his father.
Children Found Wandering Alone in Woods
The investigation began around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a report of two small children alone in a wooded area off Clear Springs Road in Mascot, a rural area just outside Knoxville. The officers located the children and traced them back to a nearby home.
Upon arrival, deputies met the children’s parents, Jason Hoffer, 27, and Amber Hoffer, 28. Authorities quickly learned that seven children lived in the house, ranging in age from 1 month to 7 years old.
Bruises, Hunger, and “Deplorable Conditions”
According to arrest warrants, one of the children found in the woods had severe bruising on his leg, while both children said they were hungry and hadn’t eaten in a long time.
Deputies described the inside of the home as being in “very deplorable and uninhabitable conditions.” The complaint stated that trash covered the floors, and feces were smeared on the walls and sink.
Child Reports Being Caged and Beaten
During interviews, one of the children made a disturbing revelation: his father, Jason Hoffer, would allegedly lock him inside a dog cage in the middle of the living room when he misbehaved. The boy claimed that while inside the cage, his father would beat him with a metal pole through the bars, leaving him with severe welts.
The child reportedly escaped from the cage and ran away, which led to authorities being alerted and the subsequent investigation.
Police said they located the kennel inside the home, noting that the family did not own any pets.
Parents Arrested, Children Removed from Home
Jason Hoffer was charged with child endangerment and aggravated child abuse, while Amber Hoffer faces a child endangerment charge. As of Sunday, Jason remains in Knox County Jail on a $55,000 bond, while Amber has reportedly posted bond.
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services removed all seven children from the home, and they were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
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