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'I'm not a monster': Father accused of torturing 10 kids speaks out

A Californian man charged with multiple counts of torture and child abuse has denied the claims, declaring he is “not a monster”.

In a jailhouse interview, Jonathan Allen addressed the claims which include allegations of abuse towards his own children.

The 29-year-old was arrested along with his partner, Ina Rogers, 30, after 10 children were found living in squalid conditions in their home in Fairfield, north of San Francisco.

Jonathan Allen (left) has denied allegations claiming he abused 10 children, including some of his own, alongside his partner, Ina Rogers (right). Source: AP
Jonathan Allen (left) has denied allegations claiming he abused 10 children, including some of his own, alongside his partner, Ina Rogers (right). Source: AP

According to the authorities, the children, aged four months to 12-years-old, were regularly waterboarded, shot at with crossbows and had scalding water poured over them.

Allen, interviewed by KGO-TV from jail, where he is being held on bail of US$5.2 million, denied any abuse occurred.

“I didn’t do what they said I did,” said Allen, who is the biological father of some of the children.

“I’m not perfect, no one is perfect,” he said. “But I am not an animal, I’m not a torturer and I’m not a monster. I’m just not.”

Ten children were found living in squalid conditions in their home in Fairfield, north of San Francisco. Source: AP
Ten children were found living in squalid conditions in their home in Fairfield, north of San Francisco. Source: AP

Allen said the evidence will prove that he did not abuse the children and expressed hope that he would be able to “reunite my family.”

He has been charged with seven counts of torture and nine counts of child abuse.

The abuse was detailed in a motion filed by prosecutors to increase the bail of Rogers, the children’s mother. Her bail was set at $495,000.

“On a continuous basis the children were getting punched, strangled, bitten, shot with weapons such as crossbows and bb guns, hit with weapons such as sticks and bats, subjected to ‘waterboarding’ and having scalding water poured on them,” according to the motion.

The home’s bathroom <span>was found covered with faeces.</span>Source: AP
The home’s bathroom was found covered with faeces.Source: AP

“Due to the continuous abuse, the children have varying forms of scars, including broken arms.”

Rogers and Allen were arrested on March 31 after police responded to a call about a missing 12-year-old child.

Prosecutors said police officers entered the house and found nine children huddled on the living room floor.

They said the house was filthy, with clothes, garbage and faeces scattered everywhere.

The children were taken into protective custody and it was only during the subsequent probe that the sadistic abuse came to light, authorities said.

“During the investigation, the children thoroughly described the incidents of abuse,” according to the motion filed by prosecutors.

It said that Rogers was aware of the incidents, which date back several years, “and assisted with the abuse herself”.

She now faces nine counts of felony child abuse.

“I strive and I pride myself on being a good parent,” Rogers previously told reporters outside her home, adding she believed her husband’s numerous tattoos made him appear “a scary individual” who others are quick to judge.