Two northern Arizona parents have been arrested after photos of their children allegedly being abused were posted on Facebook.
Wednesday night, a Facebook viewer anonymously called the AZ Child Abuse Hotline.
The caller reported seeing two young children, ages 2 years and 10 months, in Facebook photos. The children had been bound with duct tape around their wrists and ankles.
Their mouths were taped shut, and one of the children was hung upside down by some exercise equipment, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.
"I am shocked and horrified and I will tell you that in 30 years in law enforcement in Arizona this is one of the most horrendous things I have ever seen," says Commander Rex Gilliland from CCSO.
Deputies responded to the Williams, Ariz. home. Frankie and Kayla Almuina were arrested and charged with two counts of child abuse each.
"They did indicate that they were simply joking, however it is apparent through the photographs that this was not a joke. The photos depicted the children's faces in sheer terror," says Cmdr. Gilliland. "Clearly you can't tape another person's hands and mouth shut. Especially small children. It is clearly child abuse and they were charged appropriately."
The children are being taken care of by family members while the investigation continues.