In 2008, Shelley Blair’s two adopted children, a 12 year old boy and a 13 year old girl, ran away from her home and were found wandering at the side of a busy road. The two were severely malnourished and were covered with bruises. Blair pleaded guilty to beating the children, withholding food from them, binding them with duct tape, and locking them in their rooms indefinitely with only buckets to relieve themselves in. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Blair had also pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse in 2003, but was nevertheless allowed to homeschool her two children, who reported that the abuse became worse over time. Blair’s friends and pastor said she was a good caregiver who simply took on too much.

Date: October 2008
Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee