A Las Vegas man allegedly claimed he was doing "God's work" after being accused with his partner of beating and neglecting their two young children and trying to hide the abuse with makeup, according to a report.
Adrian Melcher, 21, also allegedly told investigators that the abuse began when the kids were each six months old because he thought it "would make them stronger and smarter," KLAS-TV said Monday, citing court records.
"When asked why he treated his infant children this way, Adrian stated he was, 'Doing God's work' and that he had to continue to beat them to make them stronger," according to the documents. "He also quoted a Bible verse, which he claimed read, 'Disrespectful children should have their backs beaten.'"
The children's mother, Kyla Love, also 21, allegedly said the abuse took place "on a nearly daily basis for over a year, and she blamed the Bible as their inspiration for using this extreme force of discipline for her infant children."
The unidentified kids are 3 years old and 18 months old, according to KLAS-TV
The parents were arrested on April 1 after bringing the 3-year-old to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas with a broken leg the day before.
They allegedly delayed the trip for seven hours, during which they're accused of going to a convenience store to buy makeup to cover bruises on the child's body.
But hospital workers noticed the makeup and examined both kids, who were "extremely malnourished," with the younger one also covered in bruises, KLAS-TV said.
"Once doctors and medical staff observed and treated the children, it was discovered that both children had suffered abusive torment at the hands of their parents for an extensive period of time," police wrote in court papers.
"The injuries to both young children were violent and traumatic and painted a picture of abuse the children had suffered their entire lives."
The family's home was found "dirty and unkempt" when cops searched it.
Melcher and Love were each charged with 10 felonies, including child abuse or neglect resulting in substantial bodily harm.
They're being held on $80,000 each, KLAS-TV said.
