Zanesville Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for the Torture of Children

The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office says a Zanesville man was sentenced Monday to at least 70 years in prison for the mental and physical abuse of children for nearly 6 months.

39-year-old Elijah Waltz went before Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle and was given a minimum of 70 years and a maximum of 75-and-a-half year sentence.

Zanesville Police Detective Phil Michel says a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy suffered starvation, torture, and abuse in their home at 948 Adair Avenue.

He said on September 28th of last year Muskingum County Children’s Services received a report of the incidents which started the investigation.

Priscilla Meachem, the mother of the children, and Waltz were both charged in the case

Meachem has already pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of child endangering.

She is being held in the Muskingum County Jail.