Perpetrator in Extreme Abuse Case Seeks Early Release

It was an abuse case that made national headlines in 2003.  Alice Jenkins and her partner, Mary Rowles were charged with dozens of counts of abuse against Rowles' five sons after forcing them to remain together in a small closet for days or weeks at a time, starving them, forcing them to eat human and animal feces, and other offenses.  Now, Jenkins is seeking early release after serving 15 of her 30 year sentence.

“The child victims in this case were starved, beaten and kept in inhuman conditions through a process of cruel, ritualistic punishment,” Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Tom Kroll said in a written objection to Jenkins' request.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Amy Corrigall Jones was scheduled to hear the request at 8:30 am on Monday, October 7th.  No further information as to whether the request is being given more consideration or has been denied has been located at this time.

One of the victims, now 24, has reached out to the Columbus Dispatch after reading an article they ran concerning Jenkins' petition for early release.

Now 24 and living in Scottsdale, Arizona, Jesse Engig asked that the paper use his name as he is tired of seeing him and his brothers referred to only as "victims."  He stated his intention to reach out to Judge Jones to express his desire that Jenkins fulfill the sentence she was given.

Family wrote in to Judge Jones in support of Jenkins request, stating that people convicted of murder get shorter sentences, and questioning how the sentence Jenkins was handed is fair.

“There were six kids whose lives got taken away,” Eging said. . “That is
equivalent to murder, in my eyes.”

“I have caused a lot of pain, suffering and grief with my victims. I am truly sorry. I want to move forward. I want a second chance your honor to show you, my victims, my family and the community that after 15 years of being incarcerated that I am changed and a better person,” Jenkins is quoted as saying in her request.  “I want to show everyone that while incarcerated if you take the [initiative] into the programs, that you can rehabilitate yourself.”

After their initial sentencing, both Jenkins and Rowles appealed.  Their sentences were upheld.  In August of last year, Rowles filed a petition for early release.  Judge Jones denied that request in September.