A Texas couple admitted to binding, gagging, and forcibly tattooing two young children in a case that has shocked even veteran investigators.
At a Glance
- Parents used staple to tattoo kids
- Attempted to remove ink with lemon juice
- Victims aged five and nine
- Children removed by CPS after tip
- Father sentenced, mother awaits sentencing
Children Bound and Tattooed
In a harrowing case of child abuse, Megan Farr and her husband, Gunnar Farr, have pleaded guilty to a series of brutal acts committed against Megan’s two children, ages five and nine, in Zavalla, Texas. The abuse included forcibly tattooing the children while they were blindfolded, gagged, and tied up. According to investigators, Gunnar Farr used a staple to etch ink into the children’s skin, causing pain and permanent disfigurement.
Cover-Up Made Injuries Worse
When the children’s biological father discovered the tattoos and contacted Child Protective Services, the abuse came to light. In a disturbing effort to hide their actions, Megan and Gunnar allegedly tried to scrub the tattoos off using lemon juice, a method that caused the children additional pain and injuries. As reported by CBS Austin, police observed visible wounds where flesh had been removed during this attempted cover-up.
Watch: Officials: Parents arrested after ‘forcefully’ tattooing their children.
Witnesses Present, Mother Unmoved
The abuse was not isolated or private. Friends of the Farrs were reportedly present during the tattooing, suggesting a broader social context that failed to intervene. Megan Farr’s reaction to the children’s suffering was described as shockingly indifferent. According to CrimeOnline, she “laughed about it and drove away” after the incident.
Police Intervene, Children Rescued
Law enforcement quickly responded after the CPS report, removing the children and their younger siblings from the home. A tattoo kit was recovered during a search of the residence, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. Interim Zavalla Police Chief Lt. James Denby confirmed that the children’s injuries matched the locations of the tattoos and described the skin as appearing “removed from the body” at those sites, as noted by the New York Post.
Sentencing and Ongoing Fallout
Gunnar Farr was sentenced to concurrent prison terms: five years for each of two counts of bodily injury and two years for unlawful restraint, as reported by KTRE News. Megan Farr has also pleaded guilty to injury to a child and is currently awaiting sentencing, scheduled for May 2025.
The case has drawn national attention and serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities children face, even from those meant to protect them. Authorities have emphasized the importance of vigilance in reporting suspected abuse, highlighting how one alert parent’s action led to the rescue of these children.
