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Pedley Man Accused Of Torturing Baby Daughters, Growing Pot

RIVERSIDE (CNS)  — A 24-year-old Pedley man is accused of torturing his 2 daughters, one 4-months-old and the other 2-years-old.

Jeremiah Eugene Scott  is charged with two counts each of torture, child endangerment and corporal injury to a child. He is also charged with one count of cultivating marijuana allegedly found growing in his bedroom closet.

A preliminary hearing Wednesday will determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the charges.

Scott, who's being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley jail in Riverside, faces life in prison if convicted on all counts.

The defendant was arrested on Feb. 26 last year after Riverside County sheriff's deputies allegedly discovered his infant and toddler daughters bound and gagged on the floor of a bedroom in his mother's house in the 7300 block of Rockridge Road.

Scott's girlfriend -- and the children's mother -- 24-year-old Erica Monique Henry, was not at the residence at the time. She was originally charged with two felony counts of child abuse, but ended up pleading guilty in December to a misdemeanor count of child endangerment and being sentenced to parenting classes.

Scott's own family members reported what was allegedly happening to his daughters, then-2-year-old Miah and 4-month-old Jasmine, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Deputies found Jasmine with a sock stuffed in her mouth, and there were indications both children had been struck about the face and head, according to sheriff's investigators.

He was placed on suicide watch at the county jail immediately after his arrest.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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