Couple Sentenced for Chaining Niece to Bed

DANVILLE, Ill. (CN) - A Vermilion County Judge sentenced a couple to 18 months probation for chaining their mentally disabled niece to a bed. Barbara and Ronald Schwartz, of Hoopeston, pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint.

In March, police found the Schwartzes' 43-year-old niece, Paula Schwartz, chained to her bed with a dog chain and padlock, with a bottle of water and a coffee can for her toilet.

The Schwartzes said they made a bad decision to chain her up while they went to a doctor's appointment.

Judge Nancy Fahey also sentenced the couple to 25 hours of community service. Hoopeston is 45 miles northeast of Champaign.

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