HANOVER TWP. — Two teenagers face multiple felony charges for allegedly assaulting and holding a disabled 18-year-old against her will for hours Friday, Feb. 22, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

The boyfriend and girlfriend, whom Sheriff Richard Jones called a "modern Bonnie and Clyde," entered the Lanes Mill Road home of Sheila Clark and her daughter, Ashley, at night with the intent to steal a car and leave town before a juvenile court date next week, according to investigators.

They waited in the house until morning, but apparently missed their chance to swipe the car when Sheila Clark left. The girl, 17, and the 16-year-old boy then when into the kitchen "to fix themselves a little something to eat," said Jones.

After consuming the food, the teens, who are the parents of a two-month-old baby, went upstairs and woke Ashley Clark. In the following six to eight hours they allegedly tortured the woman, tying her up, kicking her, hitting her with a baseball bat, cutting off her hair and making her walk outside barefoot in the snow, according to investigators.

"This is one of the worst crimes I think I have seen committed against someone in my entire career," Jones said.

Clark, who has undergone brain surgery, begged her assailants not to hit her in the head, which prompted them to take another swing, according to the sheriff.

"I think they did this mostly for kicks and giggles," the sheriff said, adding the two had no remorse when taken into custody.

Bobby Clark, Ashley's father, found it difficult to describe his feelings about the crime.

"It was a total shock," he said. "Ashley is doing fine, the best she can be doing now."

He added, "Pray to God for mercy on their (the suspects') souls."

The teens moved Clark from room to room and continued the beating into the evening hours when Sheila Clark returned home and found the house had been invaded. Deputies were dispatched to the residence at about 5:45 p.m. and found her daughter still tied up. Minutes later, a neighbor reported two juveniles in their yard. Deputies, aided by foot prints in the snow, chased and captured the suspects in a field.

Both have been charged as juveniles with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felonious assault and vandalism.

"They waited like animals for their prey," Jones said, noting Ashley Clark was treated at an area hospital and released. "She is a real trooper."

On Monday, Jones said he will meet with the prosecutor's office to request that the teens, who are housed in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center, are tried as adults. They could face 75 to 100 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.