MONTICELLO, KY – A 28-year-old mother is facing multiple felony charges after deputies responding to a 911 call discovered two children in her vehicle with duct tape covering their mouths and noses in a courthouse parking lot, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest followed reports that the woman had been seen “screaming” and “yanking on a child” shortly before authorities intervened Tuesday afternoon.
Anna Bencosme was taken into custody and charged with two counts of first-degree strangulation related to domestic violence, two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. She was booked into the Wayne County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.
Deputies respond to 911 call at justice center
The incident unfolded around 3:20 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Wayne County Justice Center. According to the sheriff’s office, a caller reported that Bencosme was “screaming” and “yanking on a child,” prompting a response from deputies and Monticello police officers.
As Bencosme’s vehicle began leaving the lot, Sheriff Tim Catron and two deputies conducted a traffic stop. Inside the vehicle, authorities reported finding four children. Two of them had duct tape covering their mouths and noses.
A deputy “located four children with two of them having duct tape being placed across their mouths and nose areas,” the sheriff’s office stated, adding that the deputy “immediately removed the duct tape from the children.”
Statements and ongoing investigation
During questioning, Bencosme allegedly told authorities “it was her children and she could discipline her children however she wanted and this act was routinely done,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Following her arrest, the children were placed in the custody of their father. State child protection workers were notified and opened an investigation “into all the children’s wellbeing,” officials said.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing. A court date for Bencosme has not yet been announced.
Monticello is located in southern Kentucky, roughly 150 miles south of Louisville.
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