Richmond Police Find 7 Malnourished Children In Couple's Home

RICHMOND, TX -- A man and a woman are facing criminal charges after authorities found seven special needs children locked in a room. The children, ranging in age from 13 through 16 years old, were found malnourished, locked in a room and struck routinely with a wooden paddle, causing bodily injury, police said.

Police said the seven children were adopted by Paula Sinclair, 54, and her husband, who does not live at the house and is not facing charges at this time.

Allen Richardson, 78, who lived at the home, is facing charges.

According to police, all seven children stayed in one room at the house, but when Sinclair needed to take Richardson for doctor's appointments, the children were kept in a small closet that already was full of boxes and clothing, leaving the children no room.

Police said that often, Sinclair and Richard were absent so long, the children would urinate on themselves.

One of the children, who suffers from Down syndrome was found in a filthy diaper, and all of the children were wearing worn, shabby clothing, according to police.

Police said when they attempted to interview the children, it was apparent they'd never attended school.

Police said Sinclair also operated a group home for adults at the same time and that three men lived in the downstairs area of the home.

Sinclair and Richardson are both in the Fort Bend County Jail and are each facing aggravated kidnapping and injury to a child, both felonies.

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