Key Witness in Army Major's Trial for Beating Children is Own Son

An Army Major and his wife about to stand trial for the alleged abuse of their foster and adopted children over a five-year period will see their own biological son testify for the state.

According to nj.com, in opening statements late last week in the trial of Army Major John Jackson and his wife, Carolyn, the state identified the couple’s 16-year-old biological son as its key witness for the trial.

The couple is accused of assault and abusing their three adopted children from 2005 to 2010 by way of hitting them with sticks and belts which resulted in broken bones, force-feeding them red pepper flakes and other dangerous foods, and withholding water from them while feeding them foods with high sodium levels.

The alleged crimes were committed while the family was stationed at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County. The Jacksons are originally from Mount Holly.

When the children were allegedly abused, they were under the age of three, the report said. The biological son told his grandfather about the abuse in 2010, the report said. Adopted and biological children were taken from the family’s custody that same year.

The Jacksons were arrested in April 2013 and indicted on 17 counts, including 14 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and another three counts of assault.

The trial is expected to last two months, the report said.