Authorities state that an Oregon woman and her parents are behind bars and accused of many counts of child abuse.
According to a news release issued by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, last Tuesday a grand jury charged 33-year-old Sarah Marie Session, her father Gary Hardenburg, 65, and her mother Paula Hardenburg, 60 with a variety of child abuse accusations.
Among the most severe accusations Sessions faces are second-degree attempted murder, assault, criminal mistreatment and coercion. Her parents are accused of criminal mistreatment and evidence tampering. The three seemed to be “avoiding contact with law enforcement,” following indictment. Police reportedly discovered them locked up in a Coos County hotel on the Beaver State coast, though. They were hauled into custody.
The indictments that included some of the claims were obtained by Portland ABC affiliate KATU and Oregonian newspaper The purportedly recorded events took place between June 1, 2023, and February 6, 2024. Session is accused of pushing a youngster under ten years old to eat his own vomit and hitting him with a window stopper and curtain rods. She reportedly skipped meals and medical appointments as well.
Police reported that Session, a licensed teacher assigned to special education pupils, displayed “lack of remorse” about her activities. She apparently has three children—including a step-child from a past marriage. Her house, a school, or some mix of both—where the crimes took place is unknown.
According to the court records, Session neglected her professional obligation to look after and teach youngsters. According to deputies, they submitted the accusations following a “lengthy investigation” into the family. To the grand jury, about twenty witnesses attested.
Authorities have not made public their claims against the Hardenburgs specifically.
After being arrested in Coos County, officials drove to the Deschutes County Jail where they remain bondless. Monday is their designated court hearing.
