A West Virginia couple is facing felony charges after authorities said three children endured years of alleged abuse and neglect inside what the local sheriff described as a real-life "house of horrors."Erica Lynn Sayre, 45, and her husband, Clifford Gale Sayre, 46, both of Evans, were charged following an "extensive investigation" by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, authorities announced Monday.Erica and Clifford Sayre each face six felony charges, including three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury.Erica Sayre also faces three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury, while Clifford Sayre faces three counts of child neglect resulting in bodily injury.Authorities alleged the children were repeatedly struck and strangled, deprived of food and water and denied access to the bathroom.TENNESSEE INMATE CONVICTED OF MURDER ESCAPES FROM PRISON, MANHUNT UNDERWAY: OFFICIALSErica Sayre faces three counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and three counts of child neglect creating risk of injury. (Jackson County Sheriff's Office)Investigators also alleged that soiled cat litter was dumped in their beds, dog feces was placed on their belongings and they were forced to run barefoot on a gravel driveway as punishment.The children were also allegedly struck with household objects, forced to put a soiled sock in their mouths and subjected to having their hair forcibly cut."One child described being struck in the head with an electronic device, causing a bleeding injury for which she was denied medical treatment.
One of the children was threatened to be killed if she contacted Child Protective Services," the sheriff's office alleged.During interviews, one child became emotional and told investigators, "I can't go back to that home," the sheriff's department said.Another said she "just wants a normal life."TEEN ACCUSED OF STEPSISTER’S CRUISE SHIP MURDER BUYS TIME TO CONSIDER PLEA BUT WON’T GET ‘SWEET’ DEAL: EXPERTClifford Sayre faces t...