A 10-year-old Ohio girl suffered horrific punishment at the hands of the woman who was supposed to care for her.
In 1909, Mrs. Joseph Sager of Celina was convicted of burning her adopted daughter, Bernice, on the hands and feet with a red-hot poker. Newspapers reported that jealousy may have been behind the abuse, with Mrs. Sager allegedly resenting the affection her husband showed the child.
The case came to light in a particularly striking way: Mrs. Sager’s own daughter reportedly turned against her mother and revealed what had been done to Bernice.
The court imposed the harshest sentence available to the justice, sending Mrs. Sager to a workhouse for six months and adding a fine and costs that would keep her confined even longer.
Tortured Stepchild With Hot Poker
CELINA, Ohio. — The wife of Dr. Joseph Sager was given the heaviest sentence Justice Roundabaugh could extend for burning Bernice, her 10 year old adopt child, with a red hot poker.
The sentence was six months’ imprisonment in Toledo workhouse, with $150 fine and costs. The fine and costs will keep the woman in the workhouse 308 days, besides the six months sentence.
Mrs. Sager was the third wife of the doctor and was jealous, it is said of Bernice, thinking she received more affection from the doctor than her own child.
As punishment, she applied a red hot poker to the girls’ hands and feet. The mother’s own daughter turned against her and told the story of the crime.
Source: The Spokane Press. Spokane, Wash. April 21, 1909.
