Mount Holly Couple in Child Abuse Case Free on Bail

An Army major and his wife accused of abusing their three foster children are free on $250,000 bail each.

John and Carolyn Jackson of Mount Holly appeared in federal court in Newark Thursday. They were ordered to have no contact with children.

Federal prosecutors say the couple disciplined the children while John Jackson was stationed at the Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County from 2007 to 2012. Prosecutors allege the couple broke bones, withheld food and forced them to consumer hot sauce and peppers.

They're charged in a 17-count indictment with endangerment, assault and conspiracy

The Jackson children are in the custody of New Jersey's Children and Families Department. One of the children died in 2008, but the death was determined not to be caused by abuse or neglect.

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