The parents of a Taylor County girl allegedly locked in a chicken coop have been arrested, according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 

An investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Family and Children Services followed information that the child was being abused at the residence of Diana and Samuel Franklin. 

The allegations included "locking the child in a storage building, chicken coop and outhouse for days at a time," according to the GBI news release.

Original story "GBI: Taylor County Girl Allegedly Held in Chicken Coop"

Diana Franklin has been charged with 12 counts of 1st degree Cruelty to Children and four counts of false imprisonment.

Samuel Franklin has been charged with eight counts of 1st degree cruelty to children and eight counts of false imprisonment. 

We called the Franklins' lawyer, Kevin Bradley of Macon. He could not be reached for comment.

Neighbor David Spillers said the case hit home hard.

"It was shocking to me, I'll be honest with you. It was real shocking to know that somebody was doing this to a child no older than that," he said. "My grandson is the same age as this girl."

"I could understand taking things away from from a child that they like, like computer games or stuff like this, but locking them in a chicken house. Uh-uh. That's no way to punish a child."

Since late May, the GBI has interviewed witnesses, searched the Franklin's house and reviewed information about the alleged abuse.

During the initial visit by DFCS on May 25, investigators found sufficient cause to seek a temporary custody order, which remains in effect.

 The GBI launched their investigation at the request of Taylor County Sheriff Jeff Watson. Special Agent Wayne Smith and Child Abuse Specialist Leigh Brooks headed the investigation, which began May 30 and culminated in the execution of a search warrant on June 4.

For now parents are being held in the Taylor County Jail.

The investigation remains active and the GBI is not releasing any other information at this time.

 

GBI ChickenCoop