Tuesday, July 12, 2005
CNN: Woman charged with felony child abuse for making children ride in the trunk
McLean, Virginia (AP)-"A mother has been charged with felony child abuse and child cruelty after she allegedly forced two of her children to take turns riding in the trunk of a car on an eight hour drive from Alabama to Virginia.
Cheryl Ann Schoonmaker, 38, forced the two girls, ages 8 and 10 to take turns in the trunk July 1 because there wasn't enough room in the car, according to Curtis Schoonmaker, her ex-husband.
The woman was driving five children, including an infant, to her ex-husband's home outside Washington, D.C. None of the children was injured during the trip. The girls told their father what happened the next day and he called the police.
'They asked to be let out...It was a hot day,' Curtis Schoonmaker said.
...
Cheryl Schoonmaker is scheduled for arraignment July 22. The charges each carry a maximum of five years in prison."
Cheryl Ann Schoonmaker, 38, forced the two girls, ages 8 and 10 to take turns in the trunk July 1 because there wasn't enough room in the car, according to Curtis Schoonmaker, her ex-husband.
The woman was driving five children, including an infant, to her ex-husband's home outside Washington, D.C. None of the children was injured during the trip. The girls told their father what happened the next day and he called the police.
'They asked to be let out...It was a hot day,' Curtis Schoonmaker said.
...
Cheryl Schoonmaker is scheduled for arraignment July 22. The charges each carry a maximum of five years in prison."
