wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & SportsParents charged with beating, will be in court Wednesday

Parents charged with beating, will be in court Wednesday

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Martina and Brian Shiver/Courtesy of Vanderburgh Co. Sheriff's Office Martina and Brian Shiver/Courtesy of Vanderburgh Co. Sheriff's Office

By Becky Graham - bio | email 
Posted by Kelsey Wheatcroft - email

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - The two parents who Evansville Police say bound their children to chairs for over ten hours using industrial boxing tape, will make their first court appearance on Wednesday.

Police say 25-year-old Martina Shiver and 26-year-old Brian Shiver admitted they beat and neglected their children on a daily basis. They say Brian told them along with hitting his children daily with a belt and spanking them, this was another form of punishment.

The couple was arrested on Friday after an off duty officer entered their apartment, and says he found a two and four-year-old child taped from the waist up to chairs. Police say the tape was so tight, they were afraid they would hurt the children when cutting the tape off.

Over the weekend, a judge set the couple's bond at $50,000 each. 14 News put in a request to speak with the couple, but they declined.

While this incident is both tragic and unsettling, The Lampion Center says it's a good time to remind the community that if you're struggling, help is available. They offered counseling to 3,000 individuals last year who were dealing with trauma or stress.

Executive Director of The Lampion Center Lynn Kyle says, "This incident that happened last weekend is just so heart wrenching for everyone who heard about it."

All you have to do is ask, and often times, that's the hardest part.

Lynn Kyle says, "They're scared because they don't know what they are dealing with, and they don't want to get anyone involved, and they know it's really bad."

Kyle says nothing is worse than reaching your breaking point, and putting someone you love in harms way.

Both of the Shivers underwent drug testing, but neither tested positive for any illegal substances. The children are now in foster care.

The couple will be in court on Wednesday at 9 a.m., and 14 News will be there.

For more information about The Lampion Center, just click here.

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