Oregon – In a harrowing case in Oregon, a judge has sentenced a woman to 10 years in prison for her role in the torture of a 5-year-old girl under her care. This week’s sentencing marks a critical milestone in a case that highlights both the depravity of the acts committed and the long-term effects on the victim.
The 47-year-old woman, identified as L. Ducan, entered a guilty plea to two counts of criminal mistreatment and one count of assault. Ducan’s sentencing follows that of her boyfriend, J. Ingram, who earlier this year received a 15-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of assault and two counts of criminal mistreatment. These sentences conclude a judicial process that began with the child’s hospitalization in November 2021, when the severe nature of her abuse came to light.
The initial examination of the then-5-year-old girl at a hospital revealed shocking conditions. The child was found to be “severely malnourished” and weighed just under 30 pounds, presenting with a litany of injuries that included open sores, fractures of the thumb and pelvis, brain bleeds, and signs of being physically restrained, blindfolded, and gagged. The attending pediatrician determined the child had been subjected to torture.
Detectives, alerted by the hospital’s findings, were “immediately horrified upon seeing her,” according to a criminal complaint. The girl disclosed to hospital staff that she had been chained to a door in a loft, forced to wear a dog shock collar, and was not potty trained. Her abusers had resorted to using a blender to puree her food, indicating a level of neglect and cruelty that was systematically enforced. The investigation showed that the couple used a dog shock collar to administer electric shocks and beat her over an extended period of time.
Investigators executed a search of the residence where the girl lived and discovered zip ties, duct tape, and a dog shock collar. Additionally, nearly 30 videos found on Ingram’s phone shockingly depicted the girl being restrained with duct tape and compelled to perform physical exercises. In a disturbing admission captured during the investigation, Ingram said, “I could say tied her up, could say put a dog collar on her. I mean, I don’t know what else to do, dude, [be]cause I don’t have an answer for you.”
During the trial, Ducan’s attorney argued that she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and took a “more passive” role in the abuse. However, Ducan herself declined to address the court during her sentencing. This case not only brought the perpetrators to justice but also raised serious questions about the role of Department of Human Services. A lawsuit filed by the girl’s family alleges that the department failed to act on reports of abuse. The department, while declining to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, emphasized its commitment to investigating all cases that meet legal criteria through its 24-hour crisis hotline. The child, now 8, has been placed under the guardianship of another family member as she attempts to recover from the extensive trauma experienced.
