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Shawn and Johanna Blackston

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Couple due in court on kidnap charges

Middletown girl in basement case

Updated: Monday, 16 Jul 2012, 1:43 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 16 Jul 2012, 9:14 AM EDT

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (AP) - A Middletown, Ohio couple suspected of keeping a 12-year-old girl locked in their basement for weeks are due for a court hearing.

The girl's father and stepmother were charged earlier this month with kidnapping and child endangering.

Middletown police say an anonymous complaint led Butler County Children Service workers to the home July 3. Middletown police investigated and say the girl had been locked in the basement since mid-June, let out only to use the bathroom. They described her as dirty and malnourished.

The attorney for 36-year-old Joanna Blackston says she denies all allegations. An attorney representing 40-year-old Shawn Blackston declined to discuss the case pending his preliminary hearing scheduled Monday afternoon.

The six children in the home have reportedly been placed in foster care.

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