Sedalia Man Charged With Child Abuse

A Sedalia man is now charged with physically abusing three children over multiple years.

Authorities in Pettis county charged 48 year old James Hays earlier this week with three counts of abuse or neglect of a child.

According to reports from The Sedalia Democrat the children are ages 8,9, and 12 and the grandmother took them to a hospital last month after seeing large bruises on their bodies.

Court records say the children told investigators that Hays would kick them, withhold food, and force them to eat peppers.

Police say the 12 year old told them they were forced to sleep in a bathroom for four years.

A hearing has not yet been scheduled.