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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2011 > February > 09 > Entry
Girl told school nurse about captivity
My colleague, courts reporter Lou Grieco, reported this story in today’s paper.
If anybody knows this family, give me a call at (937) 225-2094 or email me at mkissell@DaytonDailyNews.com.
DAYTON — Two Dayton residents have been accused of keeping a elementary-school aged girl locked in an apartment for six years, letting her out only to go to school.
Brian G. Hart, 50, and his wife Rivae L. Hart, 49, have been in the Montgomery County Jail since Jan. 27. They were indicted Feb. 4 on charges of kidnapping — a first degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison — and third-degree felony child endangering, punishable by up to five years in prison.
“There’s no viable explanation,” said Dayton Sgt. Larry Tolpin.
A common pleas judge set a $50,000 bond for both Harts on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The girl, now 9, is the biological maternal granddaughter of Rivae Hart. The Harts were legal guardians of the girl and her 8-year-old brother since 2004, said Ann Stevens, spokesperson for Montgomery County Job and Family Services.
Four children lived at the family’s apartment at 4825 Hassan Circle, including the victim, her brother, and the Harts’ two biological sons, who are 12 and 14, Stevens said. All of those children are in foster care, she said.
The girl told a school nurse about her captivity, and the nurse contacted children services, Tolpin said.
Stevens said children services opened a case on Jan. 18. She said the girl was singled out for the treatment.
Tolpin said the girl was locked in a bathroom, barricaded behind two dressers, from the time she came up from school until the time she left again the next morning.
“Meals were inconsistent at best and basically the living conditions were deplorable,” Tolpin said.
The girl slept on a fold-up cot with a blanket but no pillow, Tolpin said.
The Harts told police that they started locking up the girl when she started exhibiting behavioral problems at age 3, Tolpin said.
However, a psychologist examined the girl back then and said her actions were normal for a 3-year-old, though the Harts disagreed, Tolpin said.
The Harts gave statements to police that corroborated key parts of the girl’s story, Tolpin said.
The girl is in the fourth grade and her development is normal Tolpin said. Earlier this month, a common pleas judge ruled she was competent to testify before the grand jury.
Apparently, the girl confided with some adults when she was in the first grade, but nothing happened, so she had a distrust toward adults, Tolpin said.
She was even locked in during weekends, Tolpin said. She would be allowed out of the bathroom during special occasions, such as when relatives were visiting, but police believe the last time was at Christmas 2007, Tolpin said.
The Harts have little history with the criminal justice system, according to records in Dayton Municipal Court and Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.
There was an investigation in 1998 after their then-2-year-old biological son arrived at Children’s Medical Center with seizures and minor bruising. The Harts told police that they believed the bruising came from a dog leash the boy liked to play with, according to the police report.
Tolpin said the Harts were never charged in that situation. The boy had developmental and physical disabilities that might have resulted in those injuries, he said.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
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By Just venting
February 10, 2011 7:33 AM | Link to this
How sad that this poor child had to suffed needlessly. If someone had only acted sooner. But, thank God the school nurse kept at it until something was done!!
By Kim
February 10, 2011 7:29 AM | Link to this
How terrible! Some people just DON’T deserve to be parents. Children are a gift from God to love and nurture not to be used as possessions or to be punished simply for their existance. Praying for all of these children!
By ry
February 9, 2011 3:24 PM | Link to this
this is appauling! How could any one treat a child like this. I truely hope this girl and her siblings receive all the care and counseling they need to move on from this horrific event. Shame on this biological granny. what a pievce of crap. Now she’s locked up. Karma!
By So Sad...
February 9, 2011 1:52 PM | Link to this
This story is just heartbreaking. I hope this brave little girl finds the love and support she needs and every child deserves. Kudos to the school nurse for listening to her and taking action.
By JIm
February 9, 2011 1:39 PM | Link to this
The adults that she previously told should be prosecuted.
By mike
February 9, 2011 1:27 PM | Link to this
This is not only sick but sad. Lock them up and throw away the key. Find the adults the girl told years ago and throw them in jail also. What is wrong with people today?
By Squirrellygirl
February 9, 2011 1:11 PM | Link to this
This story breaks my heart. Adults who pick on children should find out what it is like to be picked on by someone a lot bigger than they are. I can’t believe there are people out there with hearts of ice and capable of mistreating children who can’t defend themselves. And shame on the adult that didn’t act on this information when the child told them about this before.