Oklahoma couple allegedly handcuffed and raped 2-year-old daughter, also planned to commit incest with unborn child
A couple from Oklahoma has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving their two-year-old daughter and their unborn child, according to reports.
The pair, identified as 25-year-old Gerrad Coddington and 29-year-old Christina Nelson-Coddington, have been slapped with charges of first-degree rape, child abuse, incest, and conspiracy.
Attorney General Mike Hunter said that the couple was previously charged in June with manufacturing child pornography, lewd acts with a minor and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act
According to new information uncovered during the investigation, the couple allegedly beat, handcuffed, and raped their two-year-old daughter. Authorities have alleged that there were other victims in the couple's care who were also beaten and raped, the Daily Mail reported.
Information filed on Wednesday stated that there was additional evidence uncovered which stated that Gerrard had also conspired to commit incest with his unborn child.
Reports state that the US Attorney's Office is currently pursuing charges against the pair for child pornography production. The crime carries a lengthier sentence than state charges for the same crime.
The maximum punishment for manufacturing or distributing child pornography in Oklahoma is 20 years prison sentence, however, federal law carries a mandatory prison sentence of at least 15 to 30 years.
An investigation into the couple was launched by the Attorney General's Office after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children gave the office a tip about the couple's crimes. The tip reportedly included information that the Coddingtons allegedly shared a pornographic image of a minor on a social media website.
The tip was then investigated by the authorities and they were able to develop probable cause to arrest the suspects within three days of receiving the information.
Attorney Hunter said: "Children are among the most vulnerable and defenseless in our society and crimes against them will never be tolerated by my office. We will also ensure those who commit these types of crimes are held accountable and punished to the full extent of the law."
"I appreciate US Attorney Timothy J Downing for partnering with us on this case to ensure justice is served and those who committed these horrific acts are unable to do it again," he added.
The suspects are currently being held on $5 million bonds each in an Oklahoma prison.