A New Jersey Army major and his wife have pleaded not guilty to charges of abusing their foster children.
John and Carolyn Jackson of Mount Holly appeared in federal court in Newark, N.J. Thursday.
They each remain free on $250,000 bail, charged with endangerment, assault and conspiracy.
The Burlington County couple is accused of abusing their three foster children with disciplinary measures that included assault, withholding food and water and forcing the children to eat hot sauce. Bones were also broken.
Prosecutors say the couple told their three biological children that they were "training" the foster children to behave and instructed the biological children not to tell anyone.
Prosecutors say the alleged crimes took place in 2010 while the family was living at the Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township.
NBC10 has tried several times to speak with the couple outside their Mount Holly home, but they have yet to offer comment.
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NBC10 is in Newark for the proceedings. We will have more information on the case as it becomes available.
