Couple arrested for allegedly whipping teens with horse whip, keeping one in cage

A high desert couple was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty after a San Bernardino County Sheriff’’s deputy discovered they whipped two 17-year-old boys with a horse whip and kept one of the minors in a cage, authorities said.

Sheriff Deputy Curtis Bennington arrested Lynferd Schwartz, 51, and Carrie Schwartz, 49, of Hinkley Wednesday after he learned that the two boys had been whipped with a 5-foot-long horse whip when he went to the family’s property to investigate allegations of child abuse reported to children’s services, sheriff’s officials said.

Cindy Bachman, a department spokeswoman, said the two victims are related to the couple.

One of the boys was kept in a locked cage for approximately a month during June and July at the home in 35000 block of Riverview Lane, sheriff’s officials said. The victim was only let out for meals and was forced to use a bucket as a restroom.

Bennington discovered the 4-foot by 4-foot steel cage, equipped with padlocks and a horse whip, at the home shortly after noon Wednesday. According to sheriff’s investigators, a baby monitor pointed directly toward the cage to alert the couple if there was movement inside.

The couple was taken to the Barstow sheriff’s station and booked on felony child cruelty and held in lieu of $100,000 bail each.

The two boys were removed from the home by San Bernardino County Child Family Services. A 17-year old girl was also removed from the home.

Sheriff’s officials said at this point they have no information to believe she has been a victim of any crime.

richard.winton@latimes.com

Twitter: @lacrimes

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