A Missouri couple has been hit with an array of charges after allegedly locking two teenagers in a chicken pen, shooting at them with BB guns, and forcing them to fight.
Chantel Hayford and her boyfriend Jerry Menees are accused of the severe abuse and neglect of Hayford’s two children, aged 13 and 14.
The alleged abuse came to light after the starving and underweight children attended an adult guardian’s home seeking food.
Highlights
- A Missouri couple allegedly locked two teenagers in a chicken pen and shot them with BB guns as part of ongoing abuse.
- The abused children, ages 13 and 14, were found starving, underweight, and unable to read or write after seeking help.
- Authorities discovered the couple forced the children to fight each other during 'fight nights' and threatened them with real guns.
Chantel Hayford and Jerry Menees are accused of severely abusing the children
Image credits: Washington County Sheriff's Office - Missouri
She told authorities that Hayford agreed to transfer custody of the children through power of attorney in exchange for a cellphone and an accompanying plan, Fox 5 reported.
When the children arrived at the home, they were not enrolled in school, and a medical professional later found that they could not read or write.
The Division of Family Services was alerted to the alleged abuse, and a subsequent investigation was launched by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
It found that, as well as allegedly shooting the children with BB guns, the couple allegedly threatened to use real guns if they told anyone about the abuse, as per court records.
Investigators concluded that the evidence suggested a “pattern” of ongoing abuse, including an incident at a child’s birthday party.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office also confirmed that “fight nights” had been organized, during which the children were allegedly forced to fight each other.
Image credits: Washington County Sheriff's Office - Missouri
Hayford is further accused of inappropriate sexual contact involving one of the children.
Menees was charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action, and abuse or neglect of a child.
He is also facing one charge of unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of domestic assault.
Hayford has been charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of abuse or neglect of a child, and two counts of first-degree domestic assault.
Both are being held without bail.
“On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, a search warrant was executed at the residence where the incident occurred,” the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
“Detectives took both subjects into custody. During subsequent interviews, both provided statements regarding the incidents outlined in the probable cause affidavits.
“The Washington County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the Child Advocacy Center, and the Washington County Division of Family Services for their vital assistance in this joint investigation.”