The Real Face of Evil

Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz adopted three children from Liberia three years ago to join their six biological children. Prosecutors say that the couple used a quarter-inch plastic tubing to beat their seven-year-old adopted daughter to death for mispronouncing a word during a homeschool lesson.

Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz, the Paradise,Ca couple accused of murdering their 7-year-old adopted daughter during a discipline session last Saturday morning were arraigned in court Tuesday. The couple is also charged with the torture of their 11-year-old adopted daughter, who remains in critical condition at a Sacramento hospital, and a misdemeanor count of cruelty to a child for signs of bruising discovered on their 10-year-old biological son. 

The couple has not yet entered a plea. A further arraignment hearing was continued until today at 8:30 a.m. Both are currently being held on $2 million bail. Kevin, 46, and Elizabeth, 42 could face life in prison upon conviction.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said both girls sustained extensive bruising and whip-like marks on their bodies that were consistent with a 15-inch length of rubber or flexible plastic tubing - commonly found in toilet tanks. There were a total of nine children living in the Schatz home - six biological children ranging in ages 8-16 and three adopted children. Ramsey said the other children indicated they were disciplined in a similar manner, but none of them displayed any signs of abuse. The children were taken into custody and released to the Butte County Children's Services Division.