Aunt and uncle on trial for abuse of young children whose parents died in 2006 car crash

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Three siblings are set to testify against their aunt and uncle in Calgary court, saying they were punched, kicked and tortured with utensils over the course of two years.

“…how she was subjected to having her tongue burnt with a lighter and how she was forced to drink her own vomit.”

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In fall 2006, the children and their birth parents were in a car accident. The kids were ages two, three and nine years old at the time. Though the children survived, the Crown alleges they’ve been the victims of horrific abuse since they were adopted by their aunt and uncle in 2009 and relocated to Calgary.

There is a publication ban in the case to protect the identities of the children.

The Crown alleges it was a teacher who first noticed there was a problem when one of the children, age 7, came to school with a “swollen and bruised face” in January 2011. A school counsellor was notified, who then interviewed the young girl.

READ MORE: Alberta ‘leading the way’ in fight against child abuse, Sheldon Kennedy tells international experts

The three children were subsequently removed from the home, Tran said.

A detective was assigned to the case in March 2011 and interviewed the children the next month.

The three siblings are set to testify in the case starting Tuesday.

The Crown alleges the children were forced to stay home from school and wear long sleeves and sweaters at school to hide injuries.

“Although it has been quite some time since the alleged abuse, there will be photographs depicting the long-lasting injuries suffered.”

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Calgary police searched the home and seized items allegedly used against the children on May 18, 2011. On June 29, 2011, the aunt and uncle were arrested.

The woman faces charges including assault and assault with a weapon. The man faces charges including assault with a weapon and criminal negligence.

Police officers with the forensic crime scene unit took the stand Monday, testifying about numerous marks found on the children’s bodies.

With files from Global’s Tracy Nagai