How Could You? Hall of Shame-Erica and Clifford Sayre

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Evans, West Virginia, adoptive parents Erica and Clifford Sayre are “facing several charges following an investigation into the alleged physical and emotional abuse of three [adopted] children ranging in age from 12 to 17 over the course of several years, the sheriff’s office said.”

“Erica Lynn Sayre, 45, and Clifford Gale Sayre, 45, both of Evans, W.Va., have each been charged with three counts of felony child abuse resulting in bodily injury and three counts of felony child neglect creating risk of injury, according to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said one child alleged that she was struck in the head with an electronic device, which caused a bleeding injury that she did not receive treatment for. Another child alleged she was threatened to be killed if she contacted Child Protective Services.

In another instance, one of the children reported being physically restrained while Erica Sayre “forcibly cut her hair with a razor blade, resulting in injury,” investigators said.

The children also reported being strangled, deprived of food and water, denied bathroom privileges, soiled socks forced in their mouths, soiled cat litter dumped in their beds and dog feces on personal items and being forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as punishment, the news release said.”

“Investigators said Clifford Sayre allegedly witnessed repeated instances of the abuse and failed to intervene.

The sheriff’s office said physical evidence – including scars consistent with the children’s accounts – as well as corroborating statements from each of the children and other physical evidence, led to the decision to charge the Sayres.

Reports from a 17-year-old child led to a home visit from law enforcement. Investigators reported finding the youth to have bruises.”

“Both of the Sayres have since posted bond, officials said. All three children have been removed from the home by Child Protective Services.”

Couple charged in disturbing child abuse case in Jackson County, W.Va., sheriff says/a>

[ABC 4 10/27/26 by SHANNON STOWERS, BETHANY JARRELL]

“The three children also said that they were “tormented and harassed about their deceased biological parents” by the couple.

Mellinger said that felony charges were pursued once investigators corroborated the reports of all three children and “identified physical evidence, including documented scars consistent with portions of the children’s accounts.”

“Erica “denied bathroom privileges” to the children while “dumping soiled cat litter in their beds and dog feces on personal items,” Mellinger added.

The children were also allegedly “forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as a means of punishment for any conflicts with Erica.”

In addition, the children alleged they would also at times be “struck with household objects – causing excessive bleeding injuries” or “forced to place a soiled sock in their mouths” or even have “their hair forcibly cut.””

W. Va. Mom Used Dirty Cat Litter, Dog Feces to Punish Adopted Kids Rescued from ‘House of Horrors’: Sheriff
[People 10/26/26 by Chris Spargo]

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