Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — The teenage couple that investigators have called a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde were arraigned Monday, Feb. 25, in Butler County Juvenile Court on charges stemming from the Friday assault and kidnapping of a disabled young woman.

The 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl, both of Hamilton, were given a court-appointed attorney and a pretrial court day of 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, before Judge Ronald Craft, according to Rob Clevenger, juvenile court administrator.

Both teens, who have a 2-month-old baby together, are charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felonious assault and vandalism.

The teens allegedly entered a home in the 3100 block of Lanes Mill Road in Hanover Twp. and waited for a chance to steal a car. When someone left in that car, they woke Ashley Clark, 18, and assaulted the woman for six to eight hours on Friday, Feb. 22, before her mother returned home.

Butler County Sheriff's investigators say the duo tortured Clark by tying her up, kicking her, hitting her with a baseball bat, cutting off her hair and making her walk outside barefoot in the snow.

"This is one of the worst crimes I think I have seen committed against someone in my entire career," said Sheriff Richard Jones.

The sheriff said the teens had no remorse when they were apprehended. According to Butler County Juvenile Court records, the male suspect was scheduled to be in court on an unruly charge on Friday, Feb. 22.

Clark was treated at the hospital, but has been released and is recovering, according to Bobby Clark, her father.

Sheila Clark said Monday that her daughter has a big heart and is very brave.

"She is the best person with the best heart," Sheila Clark said. "She is strong, stronger than me."

The mother said the teens who assaulted her daughter are "not human. As far as I am concerned, they never need to walk the street again."

Clevenger said both the suspects have past convictions and were wanted for probation violations at the time the incident occurred.