Clermont County couple charged with alleged abuse of 5 adopted boys

CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) — A Clermont County couple faces 15 years in prison for allegedly abusing their five adopted children.

The prosecutor's description of the alleged abuse is so graphic that Local 12 would like to warn you to use discretion with young readers.

The children's mother is in the Clermont County Jail following her arrest. The father is currently in prison for having sex with a sixth adopted son. The couple in question consists of a 49-year-old mother, Matthew Edmonson, and her 63-year-old husband, father, Charles Edmonson.

Together they adopted seven children. One of the two older children, now an adult, is the victim of gross sexual imposition by Charles. It happened at their home on Madison Park Road in Batavia Township. He is currently serving a three-year sentence in Caldwell, Ohio. It was during this investigation that a detective found an incriminating video on Charles' phone.

“They're naked and probably very cold. They're sleeping there like a little pile of puppies in this dungeon,” said Christina Dattilo, assistant district attorney for the Clermont Department.

Dattilo said some videos showed the children being kept in an unfinished basement with concrete floors. She said these latest abuse allegations are the worst she has seen in more than 20 years of prosecuting crimes.

The charges all relate to the couple's five adopted children; all are boys under 13 and all but one have a disability.

“When they were punished, they said they would lose everything,” Dattilo said. “Losing everything meant they would lose their clothes, their underwear, their diapers and they wouldn't be able to eat. They're in this dungeon.

But some neighbors who know Matthew said they don't believe the accusations.

“I know how hard she worked,” a neighbor said. “She dressed them, she sent them to school. I mean, she took care of these kids with so much love.”

However, another neighbor, who says he is related to the couple, is not surprised by the accusations.

“He’s a very dangerous person,” he said. “She is not the person these people portray her to be.”

The prosecutor said the children were in and out of the hospital for a variety of reasons, including bruises, bleach burns, potential internal bleeding and stunted growth.

“In some of the images, they are covered in feces,” said prosecutor Mark Tekulve. “The way these little children were treated is inhumane.”

Prosecutor Tekulve said he would seek a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for both parents. It's something even the couple's supporters believe they deserve if they are found guilty.

“I won't believe it until I see it. If they can show it to me, then OK,” the neighbor said.

“OK what?” » asked Local 12.

“Okay, then prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” the neighbor said.

The prosecutor said he was working to get the father out of jail for his arraignment. He went on to say that all five boys are now in another foster home and thriving.