Two parents have been taken into custody after court documents said they repeatedly abused their children, making them stay in dog crates, eating dog food, keep
Two parents have been taken into custody after court documents said they repeatedly abused their children, making them stay in dog crates, eating dog food, keeping them from the restroom and in one case, pulling out a tooth with a pair of pliers.
Justin Berriel, age 35, and Rachelle Southwick, age 33, were booked into the Utah County Jail Wednesday on charges of aggravated child abuse. Berriel faced seven counts, and Southwick faced one count. According to the probable cause document, a child reported that Berriel punched them in the face, stomped on their backs, and locked them in a room for days without food or water or access to a restroom. “Additional reports of Darren hitting their face and neck with a belt, suffocating a child with a pillow, and being beaten with a black pole on their legs, causing tiger stripe marks on their lower extremities were also documented.” Stated the court document. In another incident, a child reported, “being treated like a dog, being put in a kennel, and having to eat dog food.” According to the court documents, a child reported that Southwick stabbed them with a screwdriver. Investigators said when a warrant to search the home was approved, they found “evidentiary items, including two screwdrivers with blood on them.” The court documents also stated that investigators found a room upstairs with a door that locks from the outside. And a distinct odor of Urine in the room. According to the Provo Police Department, “In late May 2025, they were notified of child abuse allegations. Detectives from the Special Victims Unit worked closely with the Division of Child and Family Services to conduct specialized interviews with the children and arrange medical evaluations.” Police said during the interviews, the children described multiple incidents of severe abuse, including being punched, stomped, stabbed, and struck with various objects.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
D-Day theory: Utah Beach named for Provo carpenterHow did Utah and Omaha beaches — two chunks of French sand that were the scenes of the best-known day in American military history — get their code names?
Read more »
FAA to require more firefighters staffed at Provo Airport with expansionThe Provo Airport is well underway in its expansion, and with a bigger airport comes more flights and the need for more firefighters on staff.Airport officials
Read more »
BYU, Kevin Young sign long-term extension to keep coach in Provo for 'foreseeable future'Brigham Young University has signed head basketball coach Kevin Young to a long-term extension, just one year into his contract.The announcement was made Thursd
Read more »
Provo man arrested after allegedly touching two children at public poolA Provo man is now facing charges after police say he assaulted two young girls while swimming at the Provo Rec Center.
Read more »
Provo community reacts to proposed redesigns for Provo Towne CentreJulia joined the FOX 13 News team as a multimedia journalist in January 2025.
Read more »
$4M park opens on west side of Provo, near Provo River DeltaA new $4 million park officially opened on the west side of Provo.It provides easy access to the Provo River Delta, and officials said it's an investment in the
Read more »