Lesbian moms who abused boys get 30 years in prison

Two Ohio women who admitted beating five boys, locking them in a closet, and forcing them to eat animal feces, have been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Summit County common pleas judge Patricia Cosgrove sentenced Mary Rowles, 31, the mother of the boys, and her partner, Alice Jenkins, 28. Last week Cosgrove refused to let them withdraw their guilty pleas. The women pleaded guilty in October to kidnapping, child endangering, felonious assault, and other charges involving the children, now ages 7 to 15. Rowles's five sons said they were locked in dark closets, deprived of food, and forced to eat feces, and were mentally and physically abused for a year or more. Rowles's 12-year-old daughter was not subjected to the same abuse, police said, but was listed as a victim in the case because of her presence in the home. The women were arrested after three of the boys--ages 8, 10, and 14--were found malnourished and wandering city streets on April 28. Police said the boys described being forced to live in a closet that reeked of urine, with the only light coming in at the bottom of the door.