Tearful Mother Argues for Custody in Cage Case

A woman accused of locking some of her 11 adopted, special-needs children in cages cried on the witness stand in a Norwalk custody hearing as she denied that she and her husband had been cruel to his biological children or that he had touched a daughter inappropriately.

Sharen and Michael Gravelle have pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child endangerment, in a separate criminal case.

Prosecutors accuse the couple of locking the adopted children in cages to discipline them, and they want Huron County to take permanent custody of the youngsters, who have been in foster care since the beds enclosed with wood and wire were discovered in the fall.