Dad tortured his seven kids for 18 years, Ohio officials say. He’s prison-bound

A father “terrorized” his seven children over an 18-year span, Ohio authorities said, and he will now go to prison for nearly as long.

Jason Fuller, 44, previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of endangering children, according to Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel. She announced Dec. 17 that Fuller had been sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison.

The alleged torture included “physical, emotional and psychological abuse,” according to the prosecutor.

“Jason Fuller’s sentence is almost one year in prison for every year he terrorized his family. We are extremely thankful these victims will be protected from him while he serves his prison sentence,” Schiffel said in a statement.

According to previous McClatchy News reporting, court records said the father administered “corporal punishment” to his children. He was accused of torturing his kids by physically restraining them “in a cruel manner or for a prolonged period.”

Punishment included the kids being fed dog food, locked in a shed and beaten with a belt, WBNS and WSYX reported, citing prosecutors.

Fuller’s wife, Kristelle Fuller, was also arrested earlier this year. She was accused of hiding her husband’s abuse and allowing the abuse to happen, according to court records obtained by McClatchy News.

The prosecutor said Kristelle Fuller was sentenced to “community control” for third-degree obstruction justice.

Delaware County is about a 30-mile drive north from Columbus.

This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Dad tortured his seven kids for 18 years, Ohio officials say. He’s prison-bound."