Adoptive parents suspected of abuse released from custody

A middle-aged couple from Brno who were accused of abusing their adopted children have been released from custody. They were charged on the grounds of a complaint made by one of the underage boys who said his adoptive parents tended to be violent. He is said to have recorded such an incident on his mobile phone. The police have now questioned all fifteen children who were in their care. The couple were highly respected for adopting physically and mentally handicapped children for whom it was difficult to find homes and last year they received an award from President Klaus. Their neighbours claim all the children were well cared for and they had never noticed any signs of abuse or violence on the children. However there have also been suggestions that the burden was simply too great and may have led to excesses. If found guilty they could face a sentence of two to eight years in prison.