Western Reader
A New Mexico mother, who allegedly faked her own death after being charged with child and animal abuse, was apprehended in Colorado. The woman, identified as Martha Crouch, had been on the run since 2021, leaving behind a trail of disturbing allegations and unanswered questions.
Martha Crouch, a mother of 15, previously pleaded guilty to child and animal abuse charges in 2019. She was accused of horrific acts, including beating her children with kitchen utensils, chaining one child to a bed, and causing a pregnant 14-year-old daughter to miscarry due to severe beatings.
In an act of unimaginable cruelty, she was also accused of boiling puppies in front of her children. Despite these heinous crimes, Crouch managed to disappear after receiving a plea deal on one felony charge.
Martha Crouch found in wall after eluding police for years https://t.co/aZ608DdW1U
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) August 21, 2023
The saga took a dramatic turn when Huerfano County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a medical emergency at a trailer home in Walsenburg, Colorado. They discovered Timothy Crouch, Martha’s husband, dead on his front lawn.
However, when the coroner attempted to enter the trailer for investigation, she was denied access by the residents who claimed that Timothy had extensive health issues and died outside the home.
Following this incident, authorities were requested to conduct a welfare check at the same residence concerning a juvenile and several special needs adults reportedly living there.
As deputies carried out the welfare check, they discovered that Timothy Crouch was married to the infamous Martha Crouch. This revelation led to a deeper investigation into the household.
Upon entering the home, the sheriff’s office found no trace of any children or Martha Crouch. However, they did find a pair of dentures, old medicine bottles prescribed to Martha, and a running oxygen tank.
A tip about the home having “false walls” further aroused their suspicion, prompting them to continue their search.
HOUSE OF HORRORS: Colorado Mom of 15 Martha Crouch Is Arrested After Husband’s Body Is Found On Lawn #truecrimecommunity #truecrime
Full Length Youtube Video:-https://t.co/IOsvuSs4wd pic.twitter.com/gyv3YRt4Gn
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) August 20, 2023
Their persistence paid off when they discovered a hidden room between the trailer’s kitchen and bathroom.
Inside, they found Martha Crouch and a 14-year-old girl, alive and concealed. The girl had not been seen or heard from in the last three years, but was never reported missing to the authorities.
Martha Crouch was arrested on an outstanding 2021 warrant for violating her probation. She is now facing new child abuse charges and is being held on a $5,000 bond at the Huerfano County jail.
She also faces extradition to New Mexico. The 14-year-old girl has been placed under the care of the Department of Social Services.
This chilling tale serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation in ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. It also underscores the need for stringent laws and swift justice to deter such heinous acts of child and animal abuse.
This article appeared in FreshOffThePress and has been published here with permission.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings