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A couple from Florida has been taken into custody on allegations of punishing their daughter by making her ingest a homemade hot sauce as a consequence for lying.
Robert and Ashley Eldredge were apprehended on March 13 and are facing charges of child abuse without great bodily harm, classified as a simple assault, which is a third-degree felony in Florida. According to documents reviewed by Oxygen, it remains uncertain whether the couple has submitted a plea regarding these charges.
The young girl reportedly informed authorities through a probable cause affidavit that her parents compelled her to consume a spicy concoction, made from red peppers, onions, and oil, on several occasions. The most recent instance allegedly occurred on March 11, as detailed in the document obtained by Oxygen.
According to the affidavit, the incident on that day arose because she was accused of lying about “putting ink on the cat.” Her mother allegedly gave her a spoonful of the fiery mixture, and the child noted that on that same night, her parents left her alone at home for nearly three hours.
During an interview with authorities, the Eldredges’ daughter claimed that if she resisted consuming the hot sauce, Ashley would pinch her nose shut, making it difficult for her to breathe. The girl also mentioned an allergy to one of the ingredients in the mix, which causes her stomach pain and often leads to vomiting.
As authorities wrote in the affidavit, the child had visible welts and bruises on her legs which she attributed to her parents striking her with a belt and a hand. The girl indicated in the affidavit that her parents have allegedly used a wooden spoon to cause bruises on her body.
Robert allegedly told police in the affidavit that he used a belt on his daughter as punishment. Meanwhile, per the affidavit, Ashley allegedly confirmed one occurrence where her daughter vomited after drinking the beverage and that she did force the girl to ingest it.
An attorney for Ashley and Robert Eldredge did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen. The couple’s next court date is April 7.