Testimony Begins In Child Abuse Trial Of Yukon Couple

One of the adopted children of a Yukon couple on trial for child abuse told the court Tuesday that he was beaten with mallets, broom handles and belts, and whipped with an extension cord.

The testimony came after attorneys delivered their opening statements in the trial of Sonja and John Kluth. The Kluths are accused of beating and torturing their three adopted children.

The Kluths are each charged with three counts of child neglect and three counts of child abuse. Canadian County prosecutors said the Kluths beat the children, locked them in an underground shelter or dog crates, and withheld food. Prosecutors said when the Kluths did feed the children, they often gave them pet food.

6/11/2012 Related Story: Jury Selection Begins For Yukon Couple Charged With Child Abuse

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services began investigating the couple in November 2010 after their adopted son, then 16 years old, was found beaten and malnourished behind a Braum's store in northwest Oklahoma City.

On Monday, attorneys narrowed a pool of 55 potential jurors down to eight men and four women. Prosecutors warned the jurors some evidence in the case could be difficult for them to see and hear.

News 9's Lisa Monahan is in court monitoring the trial. She'll be provide updates on her Twitter feed (@lmonahan). Look for her reports on News 9 at 4, 5 and 6.

6/11/2012 Related Story: Trial Begins For Child Abuse Case Against Yukon Couple