Madison couple accused of torture now seeks public's help

MADISON -- A husband and wife accused of torturing and starving the man’s teenage daughter and forcing her to live in their basement is now asking for help from the public to pay for their legal defense.

The Chad Chritton and Melinda Drabek Legal Defense Fund website maintains the couple has been "falsely accused." The website says the couple believes "anyone who abuses a child should be held accountable." They also recognize teenagers lie and some teenagers have severe mental health problems that can account in part for their actions.

The site has multiple pages which attempt to explain exactly what happened from the couple's side of the case, myth versus fact, and what the government and others are saying about the case. It also has a way for people to donate to the couple's defense.

The victim in this case was 15-years-old when she was found wandering barefoot outside in February, under-dressed and severely underweight. When the girl was taken into police custody, she was the weight of an average nine-and-a-half year old — and the height of an average 11-year-old child. Prosecutors also accuse the girl’s stepbrother, Joshua Drabek, of sexually assaulting her.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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