Ledyard Man Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse and Cruelty

URGENT UPDATE: A 26-year-old man from Ledyard, Connecticut, has been arrested for allegedly abusing his four children through harsh military-style discipline techniques. Elijah King faces multiple charges including three counts of risk of injury to a minor and two counts of intentional cruelty to persons, according to the Ledyard Police Department.

The arrest follows a report filed by King’s sister on November 3, 2023, who claimed that King had been physically and verbally abusing his children for months. The allegations detail disturbing practices, including forcing the children to perform rigorous “military-style” pushups and crawling up a hill in their yard while being sprayed with water in cold conditions.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the children—a 4-year-old boy, a 3-year-old boy, a 1-year-old boy, and a 6-month-old girl—were often subjected to harsh treatment. King’s sister reported that after urinating in their beds, the children were allegedly physically punished, and one child was seen with visible red marks on his body.

She provided investigators with video evidence showing children crawling and “crabwalking” under these stressful conditions. The footage, obtained from surveillance cameras, did not capture the most severe allegations, as some parts had been deleted.

King’s sister, who moved into a home owned by their grandparents in early September, claimed that King exhibited controlling behavior, allegedly forcing the children to stay in their beds even when they needed to use the bathroom. Witnesses reported that King would physically wrestle with the boys, sometimes putting them in headlocks, causing them to gasp for air.

When questioned by police on November 10, 2023, King denied all allegations, referring to his parenting style as “conservative Christian.” He defended his actions as a form of discipline grounded in his military background, asserting that he never sprayed water on the children.

King is currently free on a $75,000 bond and is set to appear in the New London Superior Court on Friday. The case raises urgent questions about child welfare and the parameters of discipline, highlighting the need for immediate community awareness and action.

As this situation develops, community members and officials are urged to stay informed about child safety and report any suspicions of abuse. The impact of these allegations extends beyond King’s immediate family, stirring concern for child protection practices across the region.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.