ASSOCIATED PRESS 12-29-98

Ranch Owners Arrested in Abuse Case

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) -- The owners of an unlicensed ranch for troubled youth
were arrested and face child abuse charges after a boy told of being
imprisoned in a small box, burned with a cutting torch and repeatedly
beaten.

Francis Beaugureau, 42, and Robin Beaugureau, 37, also are charged with
beating the boy's mother. Ms. Beaugureau is accused of abusing a second
child.

``In my opinion, these are as heinous of acts against children as I've ever
seen,'' said investigator Chuck Davis of the Natrona County Sheriff's
Department.

The pair were being held in the county jail on $5,000 bond. The
investigation began more than two years ago when state social workers
removed the boy from the home, Davis said. The boy lived at the ranch from
July 1995 to October 1996.

The Beaugureaus' 9-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son were taken into
protective custody after the couple was arrested last Wednesday, Davis said.
A teen-age daughter of Ms. Beaugureau was also taken into protective
custody.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday. Both face one count of
battery against the woman. Ms. Beaugureau also faces two counts of child
abuse; Beaugureau faces one count of child abuse against the boy. Each child
abuse charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and
battery is punishable by up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of
$750.

The alleged abuses occurred between July 1995 and December 1997 at the
couple's rural home, which they referred to as the Emmanuel Youth Ranch for
troubled children, police said. The operation has been shut down, and all
children removed to safe custody.

The boy, now 13, told authorities the couple locked him in a cramped metal
box as punishment for sneaking food or when the adults would leave the
house, according to court documents.

The box was almost tall enough for him to stand but not long enough for him
to lie down in. He said he slept in a fetal position and was not given a
blanket or pillow until it got cold outside.

He said the couple gave him only a milk jug to urinate in.

The ranch was never licensed with the state and never licensed as a day care
center, Davis said.

``In this state you don't necessarily have to be licensed,'' Landess said.
``For example, you could have a religious affiliation and take troubled kids
through a church.''

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