A dad in Pennsylvania has been arrested for repeatedly burying alive his six-year-old daughter as part of a sick punishment that included beating her with his metal-reinforced arm.
John Edward Kraft, 50, of Waynesburg, Greene County, in the US state of Pennsylvania, has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of strangulation, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment of a minor and endangering the welfare of a child.
Kraft was arrested on Friday, 21st October after he allegedly beat his unnamed six-year-old daughter before burying her alive in the backyard.
Greene County District Attorney David Russo told local media: “There are numerous allegations that are very severe and barbaric in nature.”
He added: “My office has always taken a strong stance against child abuse.”
Russo also said: “We will not tolerate it in our county, and this individual will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Kraft was arrested after the six-year-old’s siblings reportedly told police that he had been emotionally and physically abusive towards the girl and allegedly buried her alive in a hole in the yard, which left her smelling like sewage.
This reportedly happened on more than one occasion, with the young girl reportedly telling investigators, according to the criminal complaint against the father, that he would “bury her in the yard when he believes that she is lying.”
The young victim also reportedly told investigators that her dad would often whip her with a belt and beat her with his arm, which has a metal rod inside it after he had an operation.
Russo told local media: “The allegations are that this child was beaten brutally, that the child had bruises all over her body, that she was choked to the point that she had passed out.”
He added: “She was buried in a hole as punishment. She was thrown in a hole overnight. Her head was slammed off the wall and slammed off the floor. This is a barbaric situation.”
The children also reportedly told police that the young girl was often “choked to the point of unconsciousness” by Kraft.
The victim and her siblings have reportedly been taken into foster care, with the authorities declining to comment about the whereabouts of their mother.
Kraft is currently being held at the Greene County Jail with his bond set at USD 125,000. A hearing in front of a judge has been set for 1st November.
