BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Warning that this article contains graphic material that may be disturbing to some readers.
Court documents revealed the abuse endured by three adoptive children, allegedly at the hands of Matthew and his wife, Brittney James, in Edwards.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on Oct. 14, 2025, 38-year-old Matthew James and his wife, 35-year-old Brittney James were arrested by Mojave/Boron substation deputies after they responded to a report of possible child abuse in the North Edwards area. Deputies identified three victims of suspected child abuse under 14 years old in the investigation.
RELATED: Muroc Joint Unified School District employee, wife arrested on child abuse charges: KCSO
The juveniles were taken into CPS protective custody.
Documents said deputies were called to West Boron Elementary School, saying a child was hit by their father at home. The documents said the child alleged his adoptive father would strangle him by his shirt collar and spank him with belts and wires. Deputies noted the numerous injuries on the boy’s body.
The other two siblings attended school at Boron High School.
It was said in the report that all children were adopted by Matthew and Brittney.
According to court documents, the children were interviewed, totaling about five hours.
Child one interview:
Documents said one child alleged that the couple would cover his mouth with duct tape and make him run for four hours straight. He alleged that he was hit with shovels, baseboards, planks of wood, and made him lie on the ground while one adult would drop a 50-pound bag of concrete on him. He also said he was punched, kicked, and hit with metal wire and belts, according to the report.
The report said on October 13, he had his arms bound behind his back with duct tape and his ankles and legs bound together and was lying on the floor in a fetal position. The report said he had slept overnight, bound in tape.
The report said that after being removed from duct tape, he was made to run in place in the living room for about four hours. He alleges the couple would hit him on his back with a belt multiple times and was punched in the genital area. Because he was crying, his mouth and head were covered in duct tape. The child said he stopped running in place due to urinating on himself. The report said he was punched in the chest and stomach about 16 times, and was told to go to the garage, where he was allegedly abused more, including being strangled.
The report said the child described that for the last three years, he was withheld from food, water, and access to the restroom as a punishment. The report said he was told to hold his urine for 24 hours before he could use the restroom. “Then, when 24 hours would pass and he would ask to use the restroom, MATTHEW and BRITTNEY would accuse him of lying, tell him it is impossible to hold his pee for that long and physically punish him for lying.” The child said he was rarely given food and water, and only eat at school or extended family’s homes, and he would sneak outside to drink water from a garden hose, according to the report.
Child two interview:
Documents said a second child was interviewed and said she saw the abuse happen to her sibling. According to court documents, she said she was strangled by her shirt collar, hit with a belt 15 to 20 times, and drug across the dirt by her ponytail.
The report said she was bound with tape on one occasion for up to three hours and had her mouth covered on two occasions for up to two hours.
She said he was forced to stand outside overnight, while the couple slept on the trampoline to ensure she would not lie down and sleep, according to the report. The report said the couple would hit the children with pots and pans and make them run outside barefoot in the head.
She said the couple would make them miss school if they had visible injuries.
Child three interview:
Documents said the third child was interviewed. The report said the child had to run laps barefoot until having sores on their feet. He said there were times he was strangled and assaulted. Documents said he confirmed the other child’s allegation of being withheld from food, water, and access to the restroom. The report said he saw one of his siblings bound with tape on multiple occasions.
In the report, the child said he had to pull weeds and do yard work in 100+ degree heat while being denied access to water. The report said, “On one occasion, [redacted] said he was so desperate to drink water, he went down on his hands and knees and drank water from the dog bowl.”
Documents said there were times when the child had to urinate in the kitchen sink and defecate in his hamper because he was denied access to the restroom. The document said he was picked up and slammed to the ground. The report also said he was strangled and punched.
The report said the child was afraid his brother was going to die from the abuse. It was said in the document, the child would sneak food and water to his brother without the couple knowing.
Documents said the child had tried to commit suicide by strangulation. The report said that when questioned why by officials, the child said it was because he had gotten in trouble at school and was afraid of the punishment he would receive when he got home.
KCSO said Matthew is a Muroc Joint Unified School District employee.
The report said the father was met in a conference room at a high school. He was said to be extremely emotional during the interview and denied certain allegations, according to the report.
According to documents, Brittney denied knowing about the allegations and stated that one of the children was a constant liar and stole money from her and food from the house.
The report said DNA samples and evidence were taken at the home.
Brittney James and Matthew were arrested.
On October 21, the couple pleaded not guilty. They are expected to return to court on October 30 for a bail review.
If you suspect any signs of abuse, contact the following resources:
Kern County Child Abuse Hotline at 661-631-6011California 24/7 number at 1-800-540-4000Open Door Network at 661-322-9199
If anyone is struggling and needs support, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. The lifeline is available every day, at any time.