Hinkley couple accused of whipping teens, keeping 1 caged

HINKLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A Hinkley couple has been arrested after sheriff's deputies say they were whipping two 17-year-olds with a horse whip at home and kept one in a locked cage for a month.

The couple, identified as Lynferd Schwartz, 51, and Carrie Schwartz, 49, were arrested Wednesday for felony child cruelty, with bail set at $100,000 each.

Deputies were called Wednesday to the home in the 35000 block of Riverview Lane on a follow-up for Child Family Services.

Once there, they say they learned that the two male 17-year-olds had been beaten with a 5-foot-long horse whip. They said one of the teens had visible scarring on his arms and legs.

One of the two had been kept in a 4-foot by 4-foot padlocked steel cage for about a month from June to July and was only let out for meals and was forced to use a bucket as a restroom.

A baby monitor was pointed toward the cage to alert the couple on movement inside.

Child Family Services took custody of the two male teens, as well as a third 17-year-old female in the home, although there is no evidence she was victimized.

Deputies asked anyone with information to contact Deputy Curtis Bennington of the Barstow Sheriff's Station at (760)256-4838 or provide an anonymous tip to (800)78-CRIME.

The sheriff's department did not specify the alleged victims' relationship to the couple.