VICTORVILLE, CA – In the quiet suburb of Victorville, a house that seemed unremarkable from the outside has become the center of a chilling investigation. A husband, wife, and their 23-year-old daughter are accused of torturing and abusing six foster children over a decade. The family remains in custody as the community grapples with the shocking allegations.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is withholding specific details about the alleged abuse suffered by the children, citing the ongoing investigation. However, authorities confirm that the victims are all foster children. The district attorney’s office has filed charges against the family members, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Residents of this High Desert neighborhood are struggling to reconcile these accusations with their perception of the family. Neighbors describe them as a typical household, showing no signs of the horrors allegedly occurring behind closed doors. “It seemed like a normal family,” one neighbor remarked, expressing disbelief at the unfolding events.
The investigation began in February after a tip-off regarding potential neglect and abuse at the home on Helena Drive. Authorities quickly identified Kenneth Kee, 60, Tina Kee, 60, and their daughter Caitlin, 23, as suspects. The charges against them include allegations of physical, mental, and emotional abuse, involving severe punishments such as beatings, strangulation, and deprivation of food and water.
Some of the children had reportedly been in the Kees’ care for up to ten years without any previous reports of abuse. This revelation has raised questions about the oversight of foster care placements and the mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable children.
Maribel Morales, from the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), highlights the challenges these children now face. CASA recruits and trains volunteers to assist minors in navigating the foster care system. Morales notes the difficulties in keeping sibling groups together due to the overcrowded court system, with more than 300 youths currently waiting for CASA volunteers.
In the neighborhood, many families express shock and sorrow, having never suspected any wrongdoing. “I just hope it’s not true,” one resident said, lamenting the charges against people they believed to be good neighbors.
The district attorney’s office has confirmed that the Kee family faces multiple felony charges, including child abuse and torture. Their first court appearance is eagerly anticipated as the community seeks answers and justice for the affected children.