UPDATE: Criminal History of Adoptive Mother Revealed After State Takes Custody Of 7 Malnourished Children

RICHMOND, TX -- Investigators are learning more about the criminal history of the adoptive mother of seven special needs children who was arrested last week.

According to investigators, Paula Sinclair has a criminal history dating back more than a decade in at least five states, that include Texas, California, New York, New Jersey and Louisiana, with charges such as fraud, theft, forgery and burglary.

A CPS spokesperson told KPRC that prior to 2006, background checks for prospective parents only covered crimes committed in Texas.

That year the requirement was expanded to include the entire U.S., however the all of the children, which were adopted out of foster care came to Sinclair between 2003 and 2004.

Seven special needs children who were found to be malnourished and living in deplorable conditions have been placed in state custody.

The children, who were all between the ages of 14 and 16-years old, were adopted between April 2003 and October 2004 by Paula Sinclair, 54, and her husband, who does not live at the house and is not facing charges.

Sinclair and Allen Richardson, 78 were arrested on Saturday and face felony charges of aggravated kidnapping and injury to a child.

According to a Houston Chronicle report, the arrests came after investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation following a decision last month by Child Protective
Services to remove seven adopted children from their home in the Long Meadow Farms subdivision.

The children, which included two 14-year-olds, four 15-year-olds, and one 16-year-old, were malnourished, locked in a room and were beaten periodically with a paddle or a wooden spoon, according to
investigators.

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.

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

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

The children were removed from the home and taken to the Fort Bend County Children’s Advocacy Center in Rosenberg, where they were to be interviewed before being taken to a Houston hospital for treatment.

Those who are able to speak are helping investigators, officials said.

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.

A resident at the group home told KPRC that the adults lived on the first floor and the children were kept in an upstairs bedroom, and were told not to speak with the children upstairs.

“I have never been upstairs,” David Willard said. “I have never been upstairs in five months. Of course, I was told not to speak to anybody here.”

Meanwhile, CPS officials released the following statement about the case:

"Seven children, (five boys and two girls from age 13 to 16), were removed by Child Protective Services (CPS) from a home in Richmond on Wednesday, Nov. 23, following a report to CPS that alleged possible
physical abuse. The report was received Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 22, and a caseworker responded immediately.
"The children, who were all adopted, are receiving complete physical examinations and will be placed in foster care.

The affidavit to support the removal of the children was filed Wednesday, Nov. 23 in Fort Bend County's 505th State District Court and CPS was granted temporary custody by Judge Cindy Aguirre.

"CPS is continuing a joint investigation with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department."

Image: Shutterstock/Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office