Machelle Hobson's own teen daughter called police to report that her adopted siblings were allegedly being forced to participate on the YouTube channel "Fantastic Adventures."
A 19-year-old girl is being hailed a hero for calling police to report her own mother's alleged abuse of her seven adopted siblings.
Machelle Hobson, 48, was charged with two counts of child molestation, seven counts of abuse, five counts of unlawful imprisonment and five counts of neglect, authorities said. She was behind the hugely popular YouTube channel "Fantastic Adventures," a slightly corny depiction of the chaotic lives of seven kids. The channel, which had more than 800,000 subscribers, has been removed by YouTube.
According to Arizona authorities, they acted on a tip from Hobson's grown daughter, Megan, who told investigators her mother had been abusing her adopted siblings. The children were allegedly locked inside closets, pepper-sprayed, and denied food and water for days, the 19-year-old reported, according to police.
The abuse was meted out as punishment for failing to participate in the woman's YouTube show or for forgetting their lines, police said.
Megan wouldn't go on camera, but she told Inside Edition she now has custody of two of the children. The others are in foster care.
She also said she's being criticized for not acting sooner, but she said she was unaware of what was going on because she moved out of the house three years ago.
Two of Hobson's adult sons were also arrested. Logan Hackney said he had talked with his brother, Ryan, about reporting their mother, but never did, police said. Both men were charged with seven counts of failing to report the abuse of a minor.
The mother is being held without bail at the Pinal County Jail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26.
Hobson denied any wrongdoing, police said.
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