Two Augusta women spent their fifth day in jail Friday for allegedly beating two teen boys with extension cords and leaving them with multiple cuts on their bodies.
Rachelle Butler, 33, and Valaree Butler, 37, are described in arrest warrants as “guardians” of the boys, ages 14 and 15. They all reside together on Young Forest Drive in Augusta.
Authorities say the beatings took place on Oct. 17 in the home when both women struck the older teen, leaving him with multiple lacerations to his arm. The 14-year-old boy was also struck by them multiple times with a cord leaving him with cuts to his back, a warrant says.
The Butlers were each charged with two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree. They were arrested on Monday and remained without bond Friday at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
The beatings came to the attention of the sheriff’s office on Nov. 4 when Investigator Robert Ferraro spoke with Multidisciplinary Case Review Team Coordinator Fawn Hayes at Child Enrichment.
“Fawn Hayes advised Child Enrichment was currently conducting forensic interviews with multiple children disclosing physical abuse,” a sheriff’s report says.
Child Enrichment, Inc. was established by a group of physicians, nurses, and social workers to address the lack of resources for abused children in the Augusta area, according to its website. Their first service, an emergency shelter, provided immediate care for vulnerable children, and over time, they expanded services to help children heal and rebuild their lives.
Rachelle Butler has previous arrests in Richmond County for domestic violence and making harassing phone calls. She is listed as unemployed on a jail booking sheet.
