Doc Says Imprisoned Girl Sexually Abused

H U T C H I N S, Texas, June 19, 2001 -- A starving girl who was imprisoned in a

closet for months had also been a victim of repeated sexual abuse,

according to a specialist's affidavit.

One of the 8-year-old girl's sisters told police that a paddlekept under a bed was used to "strike" her as punishment. A searchwarrant affidavit released Monday did not state who hit the victimor whom police believe sexually abused her.

But Hutchins Police Chief Gregory Griffin said the departmentsought the search warrant after receiving "credible" allegationsof sexual abuse.

Law officers on Friday searched the Dallas County trailer wherethey say the girl was imprisoned in a urine- and feces-contaminatedcloset for at least four months.

Barbara Calhoun Atkinson and Kenneth Ray Atkinson, the motherand stepfather, were arrested last week on charges of injury to achild, a felony that carries a sentence of five to 99 years inprison.

The 30-year-old mother remained at Dallas County jail today, held inlieu of $100,000 bond. Her 33-year-old ex-husband will not bereleased on bond because he also faces charges of probationviolation out of Ellis County, police said.

The district attorney's felony trial bureau chief, Steve Tokoly,said prosecutors would consider bringing more charges before agrand jury if evidence supports the allegations.

Searching for More Evidence

The lead investigator's affidavit said Dr. Donna Persaud ofChildren's Medical Center, who examined the victim, found injuriesto the child's genital area. Persaud told police the injuries couldhave occurred from sexual intercourse or by a blunt or sharpobject, according to the affidavit.

The girl, who weighs only 25 pounds, remains hospitalized at theMedical Center in Dallas. Marleigh Meisner, a Child ProtectiveServices spokeswoman, said the girl is walking and talking.

Police also searched for food, writings, books, pamphlets,documents, recordings and photographs and other items documentingfamily trips, according to the affidavit.

The abused girl's siblings told police that she was left alone,locked in the closet on some occasions while the rest of the familywent on trips out of town, according to the affidavit.

Persaud also told police the girl, who is extremelymalnourished, has been in that condition for years, causing her tobe below her normal developmental stage. According to theaffidavit, her five siblings told police they and the family's petsreceived adequate food.

Hutchins Assistant Police Chief Dave Landers said Monday hecould not discuss the case or any items taken from the trailer whenpolice executed the warrant. Among items seen removed from the homewere a child's mattress, a laundry basket filled with bed linens,bags, a plastic bin and a door.

Dallas County Criminal District Judge Cliff Stricklin, who ispresiding over the case, said a complete list of items found in thesearch was expected to be released today.

‘An Important Case’

The mobile home's exterior and interior were also photographedand its contents diagrammed. Evidence will be sent to SouthwesternInstitute of Forensic Sciences for analysis.

Law officers, according to the search warrant, were searchingfor a paddle, "blunt and/or sharp objects used to cause injury,"food, cuttings from the closet carpet, bedding items, writings,books, pamphlets, documents, audio or visual recordings andphotographs.

Landers said he was investigating the accusations of sexualabuse to build the strongest possible case against the Atkinsons.

"It's an important case," Landers said. "We're looking ateverything we can."

David Cole, a Dallas attorney for an East Texas couple whoformerly had custody of the girl but had lost a chance to adopther, said he planned to file court papers today to intervene inthe new custody case. Cole said Bill and Sabrina Kavanaugh ofCanton will seek temporary custody at a hearing scheduled for June26.

The five other children have been placed in foster care by ChildProtective Services. Barbie Atkinson will not oppose efforts togrant temporary custody of her children to CPS, said hercourt-appointed defense attorney, Brad Lollar.