SPALDING COUNTY, GA — A Georgia couple once seen as loving homeschooling parents shocked the nation this week by pleading guilty to starving and torturing their 10-year-old son, a crime described by prosecutors and the judge as one of the most disturbing acts of child cruelty ever brought to court in the state.
Krista Schindley, 49, and Tyler Schindley, 48, pleaded guilty Thursday morning to multiple felony charges just one day after their attempted murder trial began in Spalding County.
The couple, who had seven children—two biological and five adopted—was accused of planning to slowly starve one child to death, hiding him away so completely that no one would ever know he existed.
A Crime Hidden Behind a Picture-Perfect Home
Prosecutors painted a chilling picture of life inside the Schindley residence, located at 1705 Westminster Circle. While the exterior resembled the American dream, inside, one bedroom was a chamber of abuse, where the boy was isolated, starved, and humiliated for years.
The couple allegedly withheld food, light, clothing, toilet paper, and medical care, locking the child inside his bedroom for extended periods, all while tending to their other children.
“Never have I seen a case that showed the depths of human depravity like this one,” said the prosecutor during sentencing. “The depth of torture.”
The Boy’s Escape and Shocking Condition
The case came to light in May 2023, when the emaciated boy escaped the house and was found by neighbors as he wandered the street alone, begging for food and pleading never to be returned to his home.
Authorities said the 10-year-old weighed just 36 to 37 pounds—a shocking number for a child his age. He had also suffered dental disfigurement, was malnourished, and showed signs of severe neglect and abuse.
Prosecutors said the couple caused “cruel and excessive physical and mental pain” and deliberately withheld food and care.
The Charges and Sentencing
Both Krista and Tyler Schindley pleaded guilty to the full list of charges, which included:
- Criminal attempt to commit murder
- Four counts of cruelty to children in the first degree
- Two counts of false imprisonment
- One count of aggravated battery
- Battery involving family violence
Additionally, Krista Schindley faced three counts of aggravated assault.
Each was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by 20 years of probation. While they were sentenced to varying prison terms on each charge, the judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
“You better be glad I’m bound by the Constitution,” the judge told the defendants. “Because otherwise, I would impose a sentence much like the one you imposed.”
“A Sacrificial Lamb” and the Forgotten Son
The state argued that the Schindleys never wanted the child they abused and used him as “a sacrificial lamb” in order to adopt his twin siblings, whom they reportedly preferred.
Evidence and testimony revealed the boy had been constantly hungry, even before he was adopted. After being removed from school and isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic, he “completely fell off the radar,” prosecutors said.
Defense: “She Wanted a Big Family”
During the brief trial’s opening statements, the defense argued that Krista Schindley “was not a monster”, and that she always wanted a large family—even if it meant fostering and adopting children. But that claim rang hollow after her guilty plea and court statements.
“I’d like to apologize to all of our children,” Krista Schindley said at sentencing—an apology that failed to sway the courtroom.
Additional Arrest
The couple’s adult son, Ethan Washburn, was also arrested in the case. He’s accused of choking the same boy, further pointing to a toxic and abusive household culture.