Girl chained to treadmill by relatives

A 7-year-old was kept chained to a treadmill at a mobile home in California by her uncle Devin Hughes, 39, and his girlfriend Kayla Reynolds, 32.

Abuse included starvation and forced drinking

The girl was starved, forced to drink dirty toilet water, and made to hold her urine until she wet herself. She was then forced to clean it using her tongue.

Burns, cuts, and visible injuries documented

Hughes and Reynolds cut her hair with a pocketknife, burned her with vape pens, and caused bruises, scars, and a black eye by tripping her with her hands tied behind her back.

Child escapes and seeks help from neighbor

In July 2025, the girl found courage and opportunity to run to a neighbor's home covered with bruises, scars, burn marks and a black eye to ask for help.

“found the courage and opportunity to run to a neighbor's home to ask for help”

Couple sentenced to 25 years in prison

Hughes and Reynolds pleaded guilty in March to more than 10 felony counts including torture, child abuse, corporal injury, mayhem and assault likely to cause great bodily injury.

Girl recovering with family support

After hospitalization where she gained 5 pounds, the girl was placed with a family member and is now thriving in her new environment, according to prosecutors.

“now thriving in her new environment”