A Great Bend couple was arrested Friday on rape and child abuse charges stemming from an investigation that started last April, according to the Great Bend Police Department.
Taken into custody were Todd Leech, the stepfather of the children, and Kristi Schwedes. Both remain in the Barton County Jail, Leech in lieu of a $1 million bond and Schwedes in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
According to a statement from the GBPD, officers investigated allegations of child abuse back in April when they were dispatched to Eisenhower Elementary School. It was reported that three students, who all lived in the same home at 702 Morphy St., had accused their parents of physical abuse. A fourth child was found to be living in the house.
During the investigation, sexual abuse allegations also surfaced against Leech.
According to the GBPD, all four children, between the ages of 4 and 10, were removed from the home and placed in police protective custody.