Teenager Testifies In Jay Child Abuse Case

A teenager whose mother is facing 14 counts of child abuse in addition to other charges testified in Delaware County court Tuesday. The girl was one of nine children, ages 4 through 17, who were in the care of Deidre and Jerry Matthews of Jay.

The Matthews were charged earlier this year and the children placed into protective custody. The Grove Sun reports that the teenage girl who testified Tuesday was injured by one of the family's numerous monkeys.

The nine children and two adults all lived in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom mobile home that investigators say was in "deplorable" conditions.

4/7/2014 Related Story: Jay Mom Charged With Multiple Counts Of Child Abuse

The girl told the court that at one time the family had over 50 animals, including three spider monkeys and 11 lemurs. She said she was injured in an attack by one of the monkeys, and her mother would not take her for medical care.

Instead, Matthews reportedly used a household sewing kit to sew up the wounds.

Deidre Matthews, 46, is charged with 14 counts of child abuse, eight counts of child neglect, three counts of child abuse by injury, two counts of child endangerment and one count of enabling child abuse.

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