WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Two women have been arrested after they allegedly abused a young male over a two-year period, including restraining him, putting Tabasco sauce in his eyes and forcing him to imbibe alcohol and illegal drugs.
West Valley City Police arrested 33-year-old Krista Miller and 38-year-old Robin Rumsey on Tuesday on charges of child abuse and child endangerment.
Police and Child Protective Services (CPS) confirmed that Miller worked for a variety of private foster care providers. CPS also confirmed that a child was last placed in her car in 2010.
According to a press release from the West Valley Police Department, the alleged abuse included restraining the boy’s arms and legs with duct tape, forcing him to use alcohol and marijuana and exposing him to pornography.
Marsha Christensen is Miller’s mother, and she said she can’t believe what has happened.
“[It] about kills me, she’s my angel… That’s not her, in my eyes,” she said.
The victim, a 14-year-old boy, reportedly told police the accused physically held him down, forced a glass pipe into his mouth and told him to inhale marijuana smoke. They also allegedly held him down and poured alcohol over his face and mouth to force him to drink it. The teen said this happened on more than one occasion.
Christensen said she is sickened by the charges, and she said she didn’t raise her daughter to be that way. The abuse allegedly occurred at Christensen’s West Valley home. Christensen said she had allowed Miller and Rumsey to live with her, but she said when her daughter and the other woman trashed the place she asked them to leave.
But, Christensen said the pair refused to go.
“I tried to get them out, they wouldn’t leave, so I left,” she said. “I moved into an apartment.”
Before being exiled from her home, Christensen said she did see the teen being restrained in the basement. She said she isn’t surprised by allegations that Miller and Rumsey would watch pornographic movies in plain view of the children in the home.
West Valley Police said the investigation is ongoing, and it’s possible there may be more suspects, victims or allegations in the case. The Division of Child and Family Services is aware of the investigation and is assisting police.
