An 8-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl were reported missing Jan. 15 by their adoptive mother, Ingrid Brewer, the suspect in this case. Palmdale Station Deputies began an exhaustive search for the victims and eventually located both of them lying near a parked vehicle on a street near their residence. Both victims were hiding under a blanket. Neither child had any type of winter clothing on, despite temperatures in the mid 20’s.
The children told deputies that they had run away from home because they were tired of being tied up and beaten by the suspect. The children disclosed that when the suspect would leave for work each day, she would lock each of them inside their bedrooms, separate from each other. The children were forced to use waste baskets in their bedrooms when they needed to go to the bathroom.
Both children disclosed that on numerous occasions, the suspect would zip-tie their hands behind their backs and beat them as punishment. The children disclosed being hit with electrical cords and a hammer. Both children were also deprived of food.
Both children had injuries on their bodies that were consistent with the abuse that they had disclosed, including marks that indicated that their wrists had been restrained with a zip-tie type restraint.
The suspect in this case was arrested in Jan. 16, 2013, and booked at Palmdale Station.
On January 18, 2013, the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. Eight felony counts were filed against the suspect, including Torture, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Cruelty to a Child.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the Sheriff’s Department with bail set at $2 million.
Palmdale: 2 Kids Escape Torture; Adoptive Mom Charged