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LEHMAN TWP. — Township police charged a woman with failing to protect at least two children from being sexually assaulted by her husband for nearly 15 years, according to court records filed Tuesday.
Melissa Martin, 44, of Trojan Road, was aware her husband, John Martin, 44, was sexually abusing children sometimes walking in during the assaults, court records say.
When police initiated an investigation in July, Melissa Martin allegedly told investigators she was aware of the assaults and is relieved that its finally going to be taken care of.
Police in court records say Melissa Martin knew her husband was sexually assaulting children since 2006.
John Martin was arrested July 21 and again Aug. 31 on child sexual offenses. He remains jailed without bail at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
Details of the alleged assaults listed in John Martin’s criminal complaints are graphic.
Police became aware of the alleged assaults when one of the alleged victims sent an email to state police on July 20.
During interviews with the alleged victims, police allege Melissa Martin failed to protect the children from John Martin.
Melissa Martin told police she would scream at John Martin to stop when she encountered him sexually abusing the children only to have John Martin physically harm and have unwanted sexual relations with her, court records say.
During one abuse encounter, John Martin blamed his wife because his wife wouldn’t let him do sexual acts on her, according to court records.
Melissa Martin was arraigned by District Judge Brian Tupper in Kingston Township on two counts each of endangering the welfare of children and failure to report. She was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $10,000 bail.