Trial Begins For Child Abuse Case Against Yukon Couple

Jury trial begins for the child abuse case against a Yukon couple. John and Sonja Kluth are accused of beating, burning, and cutting their 3 adopted children.

2/24/2011 Related Story: Yukon Couple Accused Of Beating, Burning Kids Now Free On Bond

The Kluths are each charged with six counts of child abuse and neglect. Court Documents show investigators began looking into abuse allegations in November 2010 when the Kluths' adoptive child was found bruised, malnourished, and sleeping in a box behind a restaurant in northwest Oklahoma City.

From a pool of 55 potential jurors, eight women and four men will hear the evidence in the case. Prosecutors warned the jurors the allegation could be difficult to hear.

Some of the accusations include locking the children in an underground storm shelter, feeding them dog food, and putting them in dog crates as punishment.

Prosecutors addressed the jurors for any concerns to be impartial due to their beliefs on subjects like corporal punishment and the Department of Human Services.

The judge excused at least one adoptive parent and a foster parent from jury duty. The majority of the jury is made up of parents. Jurors will return Tuesday, June 12 to hear opening statements in the case.