VALDOSTA — Two Maryland women recently embroiled in a child abuse case that made national headlines have links to Moultrie, according to police reports.

Three children in Mardela Springs, Md., were beaten and reportedly locked up and fed bread and water, oatmeal and sometimes dog feces, authorities said.

Amanda R. Wright, 29, and Besline Joseph, 25, were charged in the case Jan. 31, according to The Daily Times of Salisbury, Md.

Investigators determined the three victims, ages 8, 9 and 10, lived with Wright and her live-in girlfriend, Joseph.

Authorities said the investigation has indicated since late spring or early summer 2017, the three children endured physical beatings on a number of occasions, according to police, and the beatings are believed to have been inflicted with hands, extension cords, belts, sticks and other objects, according to the Salisbury newspaper.

The children reportedly sustained bloody noses, bruises and cuts, police said. The investigation also showed the children were assaulted multiple times with an electronic control device.

Investigators said they learned the children were reportedly locked in closets and a basement, with a limited time when they were not confined. They were threatened with death if they told anyone about the abuse, police said.

Both Wright and Joseph are charged with three counts each of first-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, neglect of a minor, stalking, use of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure, false imprisonment and one count each of causing ingestion of a bodily fluid, preventing/interfering with report of suspected child abuse or neglect, and conspiracy to commit first degree child abuse, according to the Salisbury newspaper.

A search of police reports in The Moultrie Observer shows that, in June 2009, Wright was charged with disorderly conduct in Moultrie and in April 2011 was charged with simple battery (family violence).

In August 2013, Joseph pleaded guilty to violation of probation in Moultrie and was ordered to pay $675 or serve 24 days in jail.

An online wedding announcement at theknot.com says “Amanda and Besline” married in Valdosta on July 3, 2017, though investigators in Maryland described them as live-in girlfriends.

Rose Velazquez of The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times contributed to this report.