State v. Howell

STEWART, Justice.

The defendants, Phillip and Shirley Howell, were sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of 0-5 years for the reckless physical abuse of three of their four children. They appeal, claiming a violation of due process and the imposition of cruel and unusual punishment. We affirm.

The defendants’ four children were removed from their home by the Utah Division of Family Services because of suspected physical abuse. A medical examination substantiated the suspected physical abuse and also showed that three of the children had been sexually abused. The Howells admitted having…