DuBois woman accused of shocking young children with stun gun

DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — A DuBois woman is facing charges after allegedly using a stun gun on her three children, ages 11 and 6, police said.

Betty Jo Cyphert, 49, was charged with child endangerment, reckless endangerment and simple assault after Child and Youth Services along with Sany Township police were called to her home April 9.

Cyphert was accused by her children of using a stun gun as a form of punishment. The oldest child said it was a camo taser that was kept in the kitchen. She also told an interviewer that she would often have to sleep on the cold bedroom floor in only her underwear as a punishment, the criminal complaint reads. The oldest child also detailed times she was doing the dishes and Cyphert would tase her on the hand. When asked, the 11-year-old claimed she didn’t feel safe with either of her parents.

According to charges filed, one of the 6-year-old children told an interviewer they were upstairs and heard the taser and they peeked downstairs to see the 11-year-old being stunned.

In May, Cyphert went to the police station to speak with investigators. According to her account of the events, the oldest child grabbed the stun gun and asked what it did. She said she and their father stunned themselves for the kids to see and then stunned each of the children on their buttocks. Cyphert denied ever doing it more than that one time, the complaint reads.

During a previous interview with Cyphert, police said she regretted shocking her 6-year-old son.

Charges show that CYS ultimately determined that the children were shocked by a stun gun, leading to police filing charges.

Stay up to date with news that matters to you with the WTAJ app on iPhone and Android by clicking here .

Cyphert was released on unsecured $50,000 bail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.