What happens when you get in trouble? >> She locked Sometimes she locks us in a closet. >> Locked you in a closet. For how long? >> The longest I've been here has been like 4 days. >> 4 days. You off of her and you telling her you would have killed her. >> That's when we had an altercation, >> right? >> We had an altercation >> with scissors. >> No, there was no scissors. >> She speaks of being beaten, of scissors held to her throat and locked up in a closet for days. But how did it get this far? To find out, we go back to the foster home where it all began. It starts on a quiet afternoon in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Police find a runaway girl. Her words hinting at something far more disturbing. >> Don't run or I'll chase you and put you in handcuffs. >> I know you don't. Let's go talk about it. But until you're in my car, we're not talking. Stand up. >> Stand up. >> Yes. Are you going to listen? >> Yes. >> I don't want to yell at you. I want to be nice to you, but I'm not going to chase you. Like, I'll tackle you before you have time to run. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> Okay. I don't want to do all that. I want to help you and figure out why you ran away and all that. But >> can we talk about that at the police station? >> We can talk about in my car first. Yeah. >> Okay. Do you need it? Is this any of your stuff? >> Okay. Let's go to my car. Why? What's going on? Why'd you run away? >> I don't want to put it there. >> Why not? >> She's She's scared. >> She's scary. Who? >> The one who takes care of us. >> What's her name? >> Tina. >> Is that your mom? >> Yeah. What? What's scary about her? >> I'm scared to get in trouble because she goes to the extreme. She goes very far when she gets in trouble. >> Like what? >> What happens when you get in trouble? >> She lock Sometimes she locks us in a closet. locked you in a closet. For how long? >> The longest I've been in there has been like 4 days. >> 4 days. When's When did that happen? Most recently. >> Uh it was last year. It was around Easter. >> And what did you get in trouble for that made that happen? >> I was sneaking my sister's food. >> You were making them food. I was sneaking my sister's food that she gets from school. >> Why'd you get in trouble for that? >> Because I'm not supposed to >> make food. >> No, my sister, she brings my little sister, she brings some she was bringing like snack snacks from school. >> Yeah. >> And uh and I was having her keep it in the bedroom so I could have some. And so when she figured out, she tased me and locked me in a closet for 4 days. >> She tased you? >> Police move quickly on the child's claims, turning their attention to her foster mother, 43-year-old Tina Ramirez. Let's see what she has to say. >> Have you ever locked your kids in the closet? >> No. >> Okay. Why would they tell me they've been locked in the closet? >> All of my kids said that. >> More than one. No, I've never locked any of my kids in a closet. >> Okay. >> I found this letter and I'm sure you've read it. It was in your closet. >> Yes. >> Tell me about these letters. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> I mean, why why is she saying all this horrible stuff is happening to her if >> she does that? It's how she vents, >> right? I mean, she's Is it the truth? >> I mean, those are old. I don't know. Like she's >> she's talking about being beat up. She's talking about having scissors to her throat. Talking about pulling you off of her and you telling her you would have killed her. >> That's when we had an altercation, >> right? >> We had an altercation >> with scissors. >> No, there was no scissors. She was coming at me. Okay. >> But we can't pull it off because she was holding my hair. Okay. >> Right. >> And yeah, that did happen. That did happen. Yes. [Applause] >> How do you discipline these kids? >> I mean, I know we talked about it earlier. Do you spank them? >> No. >> Do you hit them? >> No. >> Ever? >> No. I've had altercations and forth. There's been more than one. There's a time she ripped my necklace off of me. >> Okay. And I held her hands kick and punch. >> Yeah. >> I had to hold her down. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, other than that, no. >> Typically, what does dinner look like here? Um, I don't cook every single night, but dinner the kids will do either. Most of the time the little ones like pizza, hot pockets, chicken nuggets, um, cup of peanut butter and jelly. Um, the big girls, >> you want a flashlight? >> Like I just did beans. >> If you need it, I don't. >> I just did beans the other day. >> You heard that's right. Police discover a letter written by one of the kids describing chilling abuse, including a moment when Tina allegedly pressed scissors to a child's neck. And disturbingly, this isn't the end of this story. >> I don't want to eat at school, but the the big ones, if I am too I'm getting up late and I ain't getting the time to work and everything, they do I make sure they get milk and not cereal. >> Tell me about this. Okay. Um, this one right here, I did take away the drinks um from her cuz she was sneaking them. She writes stuff like this all the time, sir. You can talk to her about this. She does this all the time. She'll tell you. >> So, why'd you keep this one like it's important? >> I didn't keep because >> it was in your closet. >> I mean, I kept with all your important papers. I kept all of these to show her and remind her, but I haven't got these out in forever. Sir, I'm being honest. Like, >> I don't think you are. >> I'm scared. >> Well, probably cuz you've been abusing your kids. >> No, I >> Look how skinny they are. You tell me you feed those kids. >> I do. >> Enough. >> I wouldn't say enough. >> They like to eat noodles. How what kid can get fat off of noodles? >> My kids. I feed my kids noodles all the time. They're fatter hell. At least not skin and bones like this. >> Noodles and crackers with it >> and spaghetti and meatballs and hot pockets and pizza and hot dogs and all kinds of nutritious things. Those kids are malnutritioned, Tina. >> Well, I give them canned uh vegetables. Does that count? >> That's healthy. Yeah. >> Next, the officer reads aloud a chilling excerpt from the letter. Each word revealing more of the horror inside the home. >> I know, but here I am and they don't have bedrooms and they had cereal for dinner. Well, that's what they wanted. They got the choice, the option, and they have the choice of that. That's what they wanted. It's always what they want. What do you want? I'm not cooking tonight. If they want cereal, they get cereal. If they want a bologoney and cheese sandwich, sir, they get it. Ask all of them. That was their option tonight. I'm not sure what she wanted. I said, "What do you want? There's beans that from last night that I cooked." She was just saying, "Who's going to get to eat the beans now?" She loves my cooking. My kids love my cook. >> Dear God, I think she's going to kill me. I didn't do anything. You and I both know that. I have been talking to you, praying, and trying to be polite, helpful, and respectful. I've been shutting out all the bad thoughts, but it's no use. But I I won't let their negativity and discouragement stop me. This is my year for as long as I'm alive. I'm going to change, but I won't let anyone stop me. I want to change, but if she kills me, I know that I was making changes to make me better. I'm going to be kind and respectful still. She held scissors to my throat. Scissors underlined to my throat. She left bruises on my neck along with cuts from her nails. She cut the inside of my lip and now one of my front teeth is moving slightly. My nose is clogged with blood and my ear is bright red with plenty of scratches on it. And it hurts so bad. I can't lay on that side of my head. You know, I could get her in trouble for that. And the fact that she said, "I'm going to kill her with at least two people besides me that can verify that." Then she whispered to me, "If Katrina didn't stop me, I would have choked you till you passed out. And I'm the sick twisted one. But no, I'm going to stay here just to prove what I can change." >> Yes, >> Tina. Combine that with the fact that these kids have run away seven times from you. >> Mhm. >> How is any reasonable person supposed to think you're not starving and abusing these kids? >> Okay. Mental abuse, I would say yes. Physical abuse, no. Has there been altercations? Yes, there has. Starving, like you said, I feed them, but it's not the food that kids get. >> No, I I quoted the noodles you that that you said. Okay. You said noodles. I said noodles. Okay. We're not >> starving then. Why do I have all >> If you're If you're feeding them, why are they skinny? >> Have you talked to Have you talked to them about that? >> I have. >> And what did they say? >> That's not what we're talking about. I'm asking you questions right now. If you're feeding them, why are they skinny? >> Did you >> Are you eating? >> Is your husband eating? >> Those boys are eating. At least it looks like it. I haven't looked at them real close, but those two older girls, you can't look at me and tell me they're eating enough. >> Tell me they're eating enough. >> There's a time we thought they had parasites. I even bought them parasite medicine. It's around here somewhere. >> Did they go to the doctor? >> No. >> When's the last time they've been to a physician? >> Because it's been a while because >> How long is a while? >> See, I think the last time for a was to get a shot >> in the dentist to get her retainer taken out. So, maybe two or three years ago. >> They haven't been to a physician in 2 or 3 years. Look how skinny they are. You thought they had parasites >> and you didn't take them to the doctor? >> She told I've had parasites. You should go to the doctor if you have parasites. You should take your children to the doctor if they're skin and bones. Tina, >> you're right. You're right. You're right. >> So, why haven't you Why aren't you feeding your kids? >> Why haven't I taken them to the doctor? I have no excuse. >> Okay. Why aren't you feeding your kids enough? >> Okay. You feed them Why aren't you feeding them enough? >> What is enough? Because like I explained earlier, they were gorging. Tina admits to locking away food and neglecting the children's medical needs, but the officer presses on, leaving no detail unchecked. >> Are you feeding those kids enough? >> Enough. Okay. Can I ask you a question? >> Yes. >> What would be enough? Is three times a day enough? Two two to three times a day. So, >> cuz sometimes, like I said, in the morning, the girls will just have a glass of milk. >> Okay. But they have lunch and they have dinner. They never skip that. Never. We're circling right back around to if they're not skipping meals and if they're getting fed enough, I wouldn't be able to see their bones through their skin like that. >> Yeah. So, like I should take them to the doctor. >> Absolutely. I think you should have taken them to the doctor. You know, especially if if they're skinny because there's something wrong with them. You know, if they're skinny because there's something wrong with them, they need to go to the doctor. If they're skinny because you're not feeding them, you need to go to prison. >> Right. >> Right. As questioning goes on, Tina takes a, let's just say, unexpected approach, shifting the blame elsewhere. Every answer raises more questions, and the officers aren't buying it. >> But you haven't fed him enough either. >> Okay. >> Look at him. It breaks my heart when I found that girl and she stood up. Tina, I don't know how you stay here with her like that. She's tiny. >> She covers herself. She's always covering herself. >> But that doesn't mean it's not there. I know, but she covers herself. She does. >> I've been trying to get her to to to do more, drink more, eat more, and everything. Give her Gatorade. Said, "Maybe you need some electrolytes." >> I did. Started buying more oranges and apples, nutrients, bought more canned food. Hey, you need to eat some vegetables. I have. >> And then you keep it all locked up. And you don't let them have snacks until you get home. >> Well, I'm always home >> now. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I let them always choose. What do you want to eat? It's their choice. They choose. >> Tina, please. You >> I really am not trying to be mean to you. It's just you're not you're doing your job. >> Whenever you say things, whenever you say things to me like, I let them eat. I let them choose. I let them this. Like, all I can think about is looking at how skinny they are. So, like they're not >> And they haven't gone to the doctor. And there's locks on everything in this house. And I don't I can't even count the cameras. I haven't started to. >> Like these kids protection at first. Well, I get >> I started put certain places because we had to >> and I get, you know, having them so the kids don't run away. But now, but now that I've been here, I kind of understand why the kids are running away. >> Mhm. >> I don't blame them. >> I'd be running away, too. >> Mhm. >> Like, I just want to eat. >> Mhm. >> Like, >> but when I've asked them why they ran away, it was never had to do anything with that. >> Tina, they're not going to tell you cuz you're starving them. Let's rewind to earlier that day when Tina was singing a very different tune. Confident, composed, and far from the truth the officers would soon uncover. >> Here I threw a Halloween party for the kids. It was really cool. I bought a bunch of Halloween Halloween Halloween decor and I bought a projector, a huge 84 inch projector cuz I bought a um uh the screen, but I had bought a projector uh Black Friday the year before. I hadn't used it yet. So, I put when we I did like cool stuff, decorated cupcakes, cool candies, and then um set that up for them. Happiest kids ever. They're like best mom ever, and they loved it. They went to school talking about and everything. So, it was pretty it was a lot of fun. I wanted to do the projector out here, but I was like, I don't know if that's okay to do. >> Hours later, the quote, "Best mom ever," feels painfully ironic as the interview drags on. Each answer revealing cracks in Tina's story. >> Why is all the food locked up? >> To keep them from sneaking it, stealing it, things like that. >> Why? >> The freezer, you notice, isn't locked up. They don't usually get in the freezer, mess with that stuff. But the stuff that they can grab quick, >> let me ask you a question. >> That's why. >> What is wrong with letting them, you know, I understand keeping some control over it? Cuz I've got four kids. I have to do that myself, you know, but I do that through through parenting, >> not putting locks on everything. >> Um, I understand that these are some devious hang on hang just let me finish my thought, please. Absolutely. I understand you got some devious kids causing problems. You got to take that extra step. I get it. But >> like their cameras, locks, they're running away constantly. They're writing letters, but like because they're out of options, they don't know what else to do anymore. like they're expressing their feelings on paper because they've got no one to talk to because they don't go to school and they don't go to counseling and they don't go to the doctor and all they do is sit around here and get starved. And >> what am I supposed to tell anybody that asked me why you shouldn't go to prison? >> What do I tell somebody? Do you know? >> Because I just didn't feel like taking them to the doctor. >> No. >> You've got 60 $80,000 cars in the garage, but you can't afford enough food, so you lock it up. The interview keeps going in circles, each lie more obvious than the last, until the officer finally decides he's had enough. >> Let's reconvene tomorrow cuz I'm getting frustrated and that's unprofessional and and I apologize for that. >> Actually, you know what? You're doing your job. >> Thank you. >> You're doing your job. >> Thank you, Tina. >> You're also welcome. >> And you said my sister was on her way. >> Jade sister's coming. Yes, >> ma'am. I'm sorry. >> Okay, we're not going to leave. We're just going to quit this interview so I can calm down. >> Um, you're okay. >> I appreciate you speaking with me. >> No, I appreciate you. You have I'm going to let you know you have been very nice throughout this whole process. >> Something like this can be very uncomfortable. >> All of it from the beginning and since you walked in my door, you have made this process comfortable. >> I'm glad >> you're doing your job, right? >> Okay. >> That's your job. Serve and protect, right? Mhm. >> I can't be mad at that. All right. Her job, same thing. Serve and protect, right? >> Mhm. >> I I understand. I do. >> It looks bad. It does. >> It's cuz it is bad, Tina. It doesn't look bad. It is bad. >> The police are here doing a search warrant and DHS is taking your kids. >> I know. >> It's bad. >> And that's that's I'll tell you something. Those two older ones have been taken from DHS. I know. >> Not only from their bio parents, >> but a foster care >> and they're terrified. >> Foster um they've been taken out of foster care before because that foster home got um investigated and then the third home that they didn't want them so they felt not wanted. >> And now the fourth home >> and I hate >> how do they feel here? >> I hate that. >> And so so these kids have run away over and over again. But it's it's wild. And I didn't think we would have this conversation cuz it's not normal for us to have this conversation. But >> it's crazy. These kids want to run away, but they're also scared of me to take them away. >> Mhm. >> They don't want to be here, but they're scared to end up with some worse foster family. >> They've told me the reason they don't want to be here, cuz they're tired of hurting everybody. They're tired of hurting. >> How are they hurting you? >> Eating too much? >> No. >> Just putting me through the things that they have put me through. Where did they put you through? >> Like, I told you she scratched my car. She got mad. She got angry. >> She's a child. Before leaving, the officer fires one final question at Tina. One that uncovers even darker, more unsettling details. >> Oh, I guess I do need to ask you a couple more questions. >> Yes. >> Several of your kids confirmed that you have tased one of these kids with that taser. >> No, as I was telling her earlier, we do that, right? And we even do it with the dogs. So, physically, no, I'm not. >> Like, how close have you put it to the kids? Um, one time I got real close on accident cuz we were playing around. But as far as No. >> Okay. In the game, like how close are you? >> Oh, not that close. >> I know. But you're not telling me a distance like >> like what inches? It's like 6 in is what you just showed. >> Yeah. We pop it like Oh, it's like Did you find it? >> I did. >> Yeah, it's little. It don't hit them. Tina admits she held a taser near the kids and even accidentally discharged it into a child's eye. Police had already recovered that same small taser during an earlier search. Take a look. >> It work. >> I guess that's coming with me. >> But that's not all. >> Do you need me to open the pantry? >> Fingerprinted. Oh no, depress move. Did you need me to open the >> Officers discovered locks on the pantry and refrigerator doors, a pepper spray holster, multiple cameras monitoring the home, and detailed logs tracking the children's every move. Days later, police returned. And this time, it's not just a talk. >> You and Anthony are coming with me, and we're going to jail today. >> We're going to jail. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, >> I'm just being straight with you. I don't I don't want to argue and fight and all that, but that's what that's what's going on this morning. So, just get some shoes on, what you need to do, and then we're going to head out. >> Okay. I'll get dressed. >> Okay. I'm I'm not going to stay out here, though. I'm going to come in just so I make sure you >> That's okay. >> Okay. >> That's okay. >> Hey, how are you? >> I'm okay. >> I'm glad you're here. At some point, you and I need to sit down and and talk about this environment and and your involvement in all of this. Um, your name has come up several times in my investigation. Um, but you and I haven't had an opportunity to sit down and talk. Um, you and I as well are going to have to sit down and talk. Uh, you're coming with me this morning. >> So, go ahead and set your stuff down. >> Um, you already got shoes on and everything. All right. Put your stuff down right there. Turn around back. >> Do I just uh >> You just go to jail. That's all. I'm not hold. Yeah. You just stand right there and be helpful. That back door won't hold that dog. >> Okay, I know. I'll put him in his cage. >> No. >> Oh. Uhoh. >> Out. Smokey. >> Smokey the husky. >> You want to go get this? >> I was just making sure you had shoes on. You got shoes on? All right. >> Yeah. Um, backpacks don't hold all that healthy. >> She can take care of that, right? >> Okay. >> Let's go with him to his car. I >> mean, can she give me water? Cuz my mouth is really dry since I'm just waking up. Can she hit >> You can get a drink of water. Yeah, >> give me water. >> My purse is right there. Okay. >> I don't think your hands are going to be back here. I'm going to get them in front of you, though. Yeah. And can I take this or give it to her? >> That's you can give it to her or whatever you want to do. >> Okay. Well, you carry this with me >> if you want me to. Or you can carry it right there. >> It's okay, baby. >> It's okay. Let me lock those so that you know they don't get tight. Let me put your hands down. Separate >> them real quick. I got to see you in there. We to turn that off obviously. Hey, baby. Stop. >> Okay. Um, this way. >> The dogs. >> Stop. >> What happens like with the dogs? >> You're going to have to sort that out with one of your family members or something. >> Okay. >> We don't have any animal control here in the city. I think now it's really surprising. We'll be in touch. Okay. Okay. You want to go on the opposite side? >> Yeah. I'm going to see if we can't see you guys back there. >> You got to take what? >> Is there room? >> Okay. >> You want me to open it? >> Oh, I thought he was going to do it. I'm so sorry. >> It's okay. >> Yeah. Get put yourself in there. I'm sorry about that. Tina and her husband, 26-year-old Anthony Beaso, are both taken into custody. Tina refuses to speak, but Anthony agrees to talk. Let's hear what he has to say. >> I can't catch a break. It's like everything is >> I didn't know about this stuff until Friday whenever I got involved with it, Anthony. That's that's the first time I got involved. You know, maybe if you and I had spoke Thursday and you were saying this situation's terrible and we need help, maybe this would look different. But the police got involved and found the conditions the way they were and it's not good, Anthony. Okay. So, um, man, I don't I really don't know what to tell you other than uh you should have done something. I think >> that's the thing. think I'm like what what should I have done? What should I have done? Because at the same time I well >> I did I did make sure I told her I was like hey like I asked her >> you knew what you were getting yourself into man. I mean like you should have taken them to the doctor. You should have taken them to somebody a professional. >> I don't I'm not they're adopted. I'm not I'm not on their papers like that. >> I know that. But you you got to know the family before you even got married. >> You got to know the family and made sure that was something you wanted to be a part of. >> So when you marry a woman with kids, those are your kids. Your stepdad. >> She always takes them to the hospital whenever before the start of school. >> That's for the babies, man. Not the big ones. The big ones need to go to the doctor. >> I thought she did. >> No. And she told me that she thought they had parasites and that she never took them to the doctor even then. I mean, >> so I I don't I don't think I don't think that the defense of you just didn't know is going to fly for this truthfully. >> I don't I don't know what else to say. It's like I can't I can't like lie. I can't lie. >> No, I don't want you to lie. That's the last thing I want you to do. >> Right. It's like what what do what do I say? What do I do? And >> I wish that there was something that you could tell me that you did to protect the kids. That's what I wish you could tell me. Is there anything you did to protect them? >> I mean, uh, thinking about it, uh, let me see what I did to protect them. >> You know, I'm just trying to think hard and things I did to protect them. Wow. I don't know how those times I did I did say because I wanted >> like us to I don't know I don't know if this is like uh protecting them. It's like me having to take them to buffets and stuff. I I don't know if that's that's not protecting. That's >> feeding them right. >> Sorry. But um protection talking to them. >> Yeah. >> No, that's >> um so you said you took them to buffets. Um but you know you also said Tina primarily took care of them at home. Did you ever prepare meals for the family? >> I did. Um I it's African food and um >> not really their thing. >> Not really their thing. So it they're doing it more of the night American hot corn dogs and >> things like that. But as far as the African side, they always say it's spicy. So I I'll just say, "Okay, I'll eat it myself." So >> right, >> Anthony struggles to explain what if anything he did to protect the children, admitting he barely played a role in feeding or caring for the family. His words leave a chilling silence in the room. All I just did was is that I I just kind of made rice and just ate the steel that's in the fridge or I buy noodles and there is some African noodles that I eat and that's I cook for myself and that's it. >> Okay. >> You know, you understand what you just explained to me, right? >> Mhm. >> You don't feed the kids. >> We feed the kids. >> You don't feed the kids, right? She You said it's her responsibility, >> but she's not feeding them either is what it looks like. >> No, she she says she feeds them. And I did tell I asked, >> "Do you see her feed them?" >> Yeah. In front. There was one time one time when I had this argument with her. I watched her. She doubled like there was a time they were eating like a >> What argument were you having with her? >> It's mostly about this kids, man. It's like I was telling like pretty much with the two uh first I was like questioning like why the hell do you have what why do you have to lock blah blah blah and then she goes well it's because um they every single time trying to run away so I'm trying to stop it from happening then then all of a sudden cameras why do you have all these cameras like what >> is that not you is that her like there's so many cameras that's crazy >> that's so crazy cuz I freaking argument with about that. I argued with her. I said, "Hey, what this camera like this is not normal family. This is some prison or something." >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. >> First of all, >> thank you. >> The the cameras I was like, "Yo, okay, so much cameras." And she's like, "Yeah, because I use the cameras to watch them because that way because they kept asking after they finish eating, >> they kept asking like stealing food from the little ones, whatever the little ones are eating." Mhm. >> They go into the kitchen and kind of give the little ones inside eye and then the little ones would just act like they're full and then they the big ones take their food and eat it >> because they're hungry. Anthony >> because they ate. >> But they're Why then? Why are they Man, >> just like you. I'm confused, man. I'm freaking confused. I'm hungry. >> All right, just listen to me for a minute. Let me explain kind of what I'm thinking. >> All right. Because you tell me these kids run away all the time and that that that might be a behavior thing or not, whatever. But you're also telling me like they're stealing food all the time, >> right? >> That just like they're stealing food all the time and their skin and bones. Like >> they're hungry. Anthony, >> hey, check this out. >> Like they went to my aunt my her sister's house. >> Yeah, >> she fed them. But tell me why the hell they're still stealing the food from their cousin's place. >> Because whenever you came from a good home, so I don't expect you to understand this, but when kids over time don't get enough food, it's kind of like a dog. Like have you ever have you ever had like a a dog or an animal that went too long without food and stuff and they just want eat and you got to kind of stop them because they'll eat too much and they'll throw up and you know it's so whenever an animal or a child or whatever has gone without adequate food, they're going to want to eat everything all the time just as a psychological thing. Like they're used to not getting enough so they always want more. Does that make sense? like any chance they get for food, they're gonna be like, "Oh, I need to grab that because I'm not going to get to eat tomorrow or or I'm not going to have enough or I'm still hungry or, you know, I I'm not in those kids' head, but I can imagine kind of how they're thinking." And it makes sense to me from my side why they're stealing food because they're habitually not getting fed enough. They're hungry. Tina and Anthony were taken into custody on multiple counts of child abuse and neglect, with Tina also charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon. At last check, both are expected to return to court this winter, facing the consequences of the horrors uncovered in their