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Twins’ parents may face charges involving 3rd child

Judge bars Wellers from all 6 children

By Laura McVicker
Published: November 22, 2011, 4:00pm

Authorities have informed a Clark County judge that a Vancouver couple accused of imprisoning, starving and beating their adopted twins may face additional charges.

Superior Court Judge Scott Collier, presiding over Sandra and Jeffrey Weller’s dependency case, received a letter Tuesday from an investigator who reportedly found evidence the Wellers may have abused one of their other sons. The case was referred to Children’s Justice Center prosecutors for the possibility of charges.

So far, the Wellers are charged with second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment of their 16-year-old twins, a boy and girl, who were allegedly found in October locked in a bedroom without electricity or adequate food.

In addition to the twins, the Wellers have four sons, ranging in age from 4 to 14.

Considering the letter, Collier denied the Wellers visitation of all their children, as the criminal case is pending. He will hear evidence Dec. 12 from a therapist of the 4-year-old son’s on whether it’s in the best interest of that child to have visitation with his parents.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, Collier said he would allow the 10-year-old to stay in Colorado with his biological father, Sandra Weller’s ex-husband, Tim Graf, for Thanksgiving.

The Wellers were arrested Oct. 12 after a Child Protective Services worker alerted Vancouver police. Officers interviewed the twins, who alleged that for as long as they could remember, the Wellers have locked them in a bedroom without electricity and only fed them once a day, according to court documents.

If they sneaked food, the twins said, Jeffrey Weller would beat them with a wooden board, often until they bled.

The twins were placed in foster care, and the other four children in the Weller home were placed either in protective custody or with another family member.

Trial for Jeffrey Weller, 42, is set for March 26. A hearing on 48-year-old Sandra Weller’s mental competency is set for Nov. 29.

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