Dad accused of systematic abuse sentenced to 15 years in prison (Madison Township, Ohio)

Where to even start with a dad like JEFFREY YORK--involuntary confinement, forced isolation of his family, rape, battering....And all over a period of at least 15 years.

Had York locked up a stranger like this, I'm pretty damned sure he'd be looking at more than 15 years in prison.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/father-accused-of-abuse-sentenced-to-15-years

Father accused of abuse sentenced to 15 years

Posted: 11/18/2010
Last Updated: 14 hours and 30 minutes ago

By: WEWS News Staff
MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio - A Madison Township father accused of locking his child in a bedroom for a year was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday.

Jeffrey York, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of gross sexual imposition and one count of child endangering at the end of October. York originally faced 19 charges, including two counts of rape and five counts of domestic violence.

York and his wife have seven children and investigators said the crimes may have started 15 years ago at their home on Ledge Road. The family was completely cut off from relatives and neighbors.

"I don't make excuses for my failings... I ask that they accept my apology and down the road to be able to talk to them," York said, while apologizing to his family in court on Thursday.

The case against York began last December when his wife finally called 911. The family has now been out of the home for the past several months.

Detectives said one of York’s daughters was locked in a room for a year and barely had access to the rest of the family. Her meals were brought to her and she was sometimes allowed to leave to use the bathroom.

Lake County court records show York's wife received a civil protection order against her husband after the family was taken to a women's shelter. Court records also show that Jeffrey York filed for divorce in July.

The youngest child subjected to York’s cruelty was just 3 years old.