Mom, grandparents allegedly restrain kids in room for hours

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- New information has been released about a child abuse investigation in Clovis.

Clovis police say eight children who were held captive in their own home have been rescued following a weeks-long investigation. Officers arrested the children's mother, Bonnie Rivera, and grandparents, Sylvia Belmontes and Marcario Esparza, on Friday.

Authorities say windows in the home were nailed shut and the children were restrained in their rooms for hours at a time. The victims range in age from 3 months to 10 years old.

Investigators say the allegations surfaced after one of the older children confided in an adult.

"Anytime you have a child that steps forward and does talk about abuse occurring in the home, it needs to be taken very seriously," said Clovis Police Sgt. John Koch.

The children have since been placed in the care of Child Protective Services.

The three suspects are facing charges of false imprisonment, inhuman corporal punishment and inflicting injury upon a child -- all of which are felonies.