A foster parent facing more than 70 child sex abuse charges is back in Florence.
Daniel Spurgeon and his wife were originally facing 700 charges together. On Monday he pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to 76 charges.
He’s facing more than 40 counts of aggravated child abuse and multiple counts of rape, sexual torture, sex abuse, sex abuse of a child under 12, sodomy, human trafficking, and strangulation.
The victims are all his and his wife Jenise’s foster or adopted children. Five of the victims were in the court room when Spurgeon’s lawyer read how he pleaded.
“It’s a standard plea when you’re facing a number of charges and the seriousness of the charges,” said Tony Hughes. “We just got involved in this case a few months ago and we’re exploring what happens so we want to keep all options on the table for right now.”
Spurgeon was brought to Florence from Florida, where he and Jenise allegedly committed the same crimes.
The criminal complaint says one child told police she has scars from being blindfolded and tortured in Spurgeon’s basement every day for years.
She allegedly told police: “When he gets a hold of a belt he doesn’t stop. So it’s terrifying when you’re 12 years old and this man is holding this power over you and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s like being in prison.”
Spurgeon’s trial is set for October 5th. His lawyer says the trial date could be pushed back because of the number of charges.
Jenise Spurgeon is currently out on bail.
