Couple arrested for allegedly abusing several children

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A couple was arrested for child abuse after allegedly beating several children in the home over a few years. The years-long investigation details the accusations against Deborah Mainus and John Charles Gould.

Court documents explain one of the children told police they were sexually abused by Mainus along with being forced to do "military-style" workouts as punishment.

The child also alleged Mainus would punch, choke, and hit them.

The documents go on to say in 2022, an extended family member became suspicious and noticed bruises on the child's face and back.

Later in the investigation, another child told police Mainus's punishments were "above and beyond."

The child told officers they would have to stand on frozen meat packs in the garage until their feet went numb. The papers also detail that Mainus would hit the kids with spoons, wooden paddles, and hangers leaving bruises.

According to the investigation, if the Department of Human Services showed up at the home, Mainus told the kids what to say and would tell them to get groceries to make it look like food was in the house.

Along with the alleged abuse, one of the children also told police Gould inappropriately touched them.

Gould and Mainus are facing several counts of child abuse and sexual abuse of a child.

DHS sent News 4 a statement on the case:

Oklahoma Human Services is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of our state’s children. The agency is grateful for the steadfast dedication of our law enforcement and court partners whose work brings justice for the children we serve. State and federal confidentiality laws prevent us from sharing details in child welfare cases. However, we will continue to cooperate with and support our law enforcement and court partners in our shared efforts to protect children.

Department of Human Services