Foster parents, daughter charged with torture after ‘severe’ abuse of six children in San Bernardino County

Update 5/14/25

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed charges against foster parents and their adult daughter, accused of torturing six children.

"It is alleged that the foster parents and their adult daughter subjected all six children (aged four – sixteen), to years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse," reads a DA's office news release. "The abuse included daily beatings, strangulation to the point of unconsciousness, and punishments of withholding food and water from the children for a period of days."

Tina Marie Sheffield Key, 60, Kenneth Michael Key, 60, and Kaitlynn Marresa Key, 23, have each been charged with six counts of torture (one count for each victim) and Child Abuse Under Circumstances Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury or Death.

Additionally, prosecutors are alleging a special allegation of personal infliction of great bodily injury.

The three suspects are set to be arraigned Thursday in Rancho Cucamonga.

Original Report 5/13/25

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (KESQ) - Three people were arrested Monday on suspicion of torturing and abusing six children in Victorville, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced.

A 60-year-old man, two women, ages 60 and 23, all from Victorville, were arrested Monday following an investigation that started on February 13.

The Victorville Sheriff's Station conducted an investigation of severe and prolonged abuse and neglect to six children, ages five to 16," reads a news release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Further details on the investigation were not currently available.

The trio has been booked into the Central Detention Center, where they remain in custody on $1,000,000 bail. Authorities said the face torture charges. All three are scheduled to appear in court Wednesday in Victorville.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Katie Merrill of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.    

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.