Overview

• All four adult Griffeths remain jailed in Columbia County on aggravated child abuse charges, with bonds initially at $500,000 each and Jill Griffeth’s bond raised to $1.5 million.
• Nine children ages 7 to 16 are under a court-ordered DCF removal after a July wellness check revealed severe physical and educational neglect.
• New law-enforcement filings report at least one allegation of sexual assault against a Griffeth adult, prompting a parallel criminal investigation.
• Authorities say the children were confined in plywood-lined cages under bunk beds, beaten with a cane, sprayed with vinegar and given non-prescribed medication.
• Investigators found adopted children faced harsher treatment than biological siblings, forced into chores, denied basic schooling and lacking personal information.