Foster parents face trial over alleged years of abuse

A foster couple accused of abusing their foster son for years denied the allegations in court on Tuesday, ORF reported. Prosecutors allege they beat him, provided too little food and locked him up.

The defendants, both 62, faced testimony describing alleged beatings with wooden boards, cutlery and sticks, as well as claims that the boy was locked in a garage for days. The former foster sister and the man’s biological father gave evidence after the defendants and the now-adult alleged victim were heard.

The former foster sister, who lived with the couple for several months when she was 13, said she was often hungry and regularly shouted at. She described the foster son as fearful and withdrawn, and said he would flinch when touched. She also recalled seeing him struck on the back of the head once.

The biological father said he had long believed his son was doing well with the foster parents. His son told him about the alleged abuse only after the father became ill with cancer. According to the father, the boy said he had repeatedly been beaten and choked, and at times locked in the garage for days.

The defendants rejected the witnesses’ accounts. They said food and drinks had always been available in sufficient quantities and that they had made every effort to care for the children.

The trial, presided over by Judge Lisa Rendl, was scheduled to continue into the afternoon. A verdict was not expected on Tuesday because further witnesses were due to be questioned. The defendants are presumed innocent.