Homeschooling’s 

Invisible Children

Children of Earl and Deborah Dinkler

Content note: Case narratives include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.

A 13 year old girl and an 11 year old boy were forced by their adoptive parents, Earl and Deborah Dinkler, to run 15 laps around the property before breakfast each day. This had been going on for four years when the abuse came to light. If Earl and Deborah were not satisfied with the children’s speed, they beat the children with a belt, a miniature baseball bat, and a bamboo rod. The Dinklers also withheld food and water as punishment. The abuse came to light when the girl ran to a neighbor’s house and hid one morning, exhausted, panting, and afraid of being punished for not doing her exercises. Earl and Deborah were found guilty and convicted of cruelty.

Date: August 9, 2007
Location: McDonough, Georgia

Documents: Date:
McDonough Couple Charged With Abusing Adopted Children 2007-08-09
Police: Couple Abused Adopted Kids 2007-08-10
McDonough man posts bond in child abuse case 2007-08-11
Man, wife waive arraignment in child cruelty case 2007-12-12
Trial under way in child cruelty case 2008-08-20
Children testify against father accused of cruelty 2008-08-21
Father convicted of child cruelty 2008-08-22
Dinkler sentenced to prison in child-cruelty case 2008-09-23
DINKLER v. STATE [Earl Dinkler Appeal] 2010-06-25