A 28-year-old Kentucky woman, Anna Bencosme, was arrested after deputies found two of four children in her car with duct tape over their mouths and noses during a traffic stop at the Wayne County Judicial Center parking lot just before 3:30 p.m. on April 28. She was booked on charges including strangulation, endangering the welfare of a minor, and wanton endangerment. The children were placed with their father, and the Department of Child Protection Cabinet has opened an investigation. Authorities say the woman told investigators she routinely disciplined the children this way.
Kentucky Mother Arrested After Deputies Find Two Children With Duct Tape Over Mouths and Noses
Anna BencosmeCredit: Wayne County KY Jail
A Kentucky woman, identified as 28-year-old Anna Bencosme, was arrested after deputies say they found two of four children in her vehicle with duct tape over their mouths and noses. The stop occurred in the rear parking lot of the Wayne County Judicial Center shortly before 3:30 p.m. on April 28, following a report of a disturbance.
According to a press release from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, officers began a traffic stop when the vehicle started to leave the lot. Deputies and local police discovered four children inside the car; two had duct tape placed across their mouths and noses. One deputy removed the tape while another officer questioned the woman believed to be the children’s mother.
Bencosme was booked on April 28 on charges that include strangulation, endangering the welfare of a minor, and wanton endangerment, according to online jail records. It was not immediately clear whether she has entered a plea or retained counsel. Authorities say Bencosme allegedly told investigators she routinely disciplined her children this way and believed she could "discipline her children however she wanted."
After the arrest, the four children were placed in the custody of their father. The case was referred to the Department of Child Protection Cabinet, which has opened an investigation into the children’s welfare and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials have not released the children’s ages or additional identifying details, and the matter remains under investigation by local law enforcement and child protection authorities.
If you suspect child abuse or need help, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7, toll-free, and confidential in more than 170 languages.
Note: This article summarizes information provided by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and public booking records. Additional details may emerge as the investigation continues.
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