Carey Clark was sentenced on Tuesday for his involvement in the abuse and neglect of his children, all of whom were under 10 at the time. Clark was given a sentence of thirty years in prison and thirty years on probation.
In April, the Georgia father was found guilty on several counts of second-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery, according to The Independent.
Clark was found guilty based on troubling testimony and evidence that showed that over several years, he and his partner, co-defendant Nora Rodgers, subjected the kids to “extreme bootcamp–style” punishments, denied them food, and physically harmed them.
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One doctor from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta described the extent of the abuse in his testimony during the trial, which left the kids with long-lasting psychological and physical wounds. Medical professionals called the treatment “torture.”
A concerned family member alerted authorities to the abuse in October 2020. Deputies discovered horrifying evidence of abuse when they came to check on the kids. There was a nine-year-old with serious leg bruises and a black eye. There was an eight-year-old with cuts and bruises all over him. The youngest, a six-year-old girl, suffered injuries that authorities claimed may have been deadly, including a broken elbow, swelling and bruises all over her body.
According to District Attorney Randy McGinley, the kids were made to execute physically demanding activities such as jumping jacks, doing squats while carrying heavy logs, running laps, and hoisting an 8-foot lawn timber above their heads.
The punishments were frequently carried out in the heat of the summer or in the middle of the night. According to The Independent, when the children failed to meet expectations, they were abused, officials alleged.
In late 2023, Rodgers, who is also the stepmother of the children, entered a guilty plea to nine charges of child abuse. She received a 60-year sentence in December, which included 30 years in prison and another 30 years on probation.
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During Rodgers’ sentence, McGinley stated that in addition to physically punishing the kids, Rodgers also “sparred” with them by hitting them while they were supposed to be exercising.
“They were forced to do extreme boot camp style exercises… to the point of exhaustion and injury,” McGinley stated. “Their strength then and now is something to admire.”
Throughout the trial, the children testified about the horrific mistreatment they suffered at the hands of the two adults who were supposed to be responsible for them.
“The court’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the incredible bravery of the victims,” Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson said.
Prosecutors said they hope the kids can now start to recover.
“This case is a reminder of the deep harm caused by those who abuse their power and trust,” McGinley said. “But it’s also a testament to the courage of children who found their voices and spoke the truth—and who showed incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.”
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