HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A Tampa woman is accused of abusing seven children using belts, electrical extension cords, wooden spoons, hammers and a stun gun.

Stacey Horace, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with child abuse.

Deputies say the abuse lasted five years.

The children range in age from 11 months to 10 years old.

Neighbors say they heard a lot of yelling coming from the home.

"I've heard her yelling at her children," said neighbor Christina Ungstadt. "I've heard her say 'get inside, don't you go out there.' I never thought she did anything bad to her kids."

Investigators aren't saying what the relationship was between Horace and the seven children. But they say the physical abuse was severe.

In one instance, Horace allegedly held a child under water, threw urine on him, and spat in his face.

After five years of alleged torture, it was a family member who alerted authorities.

All the children have been placed with family members.

Information from Central Florida News 13's Bright House Networks affiliate Bay News 9 was used in this report.

Comment On This Story