A Georgia man has been sentenced to multiple life terms after a jury convicted him in a case involving prolonged abuse that ultimately led to the death of his 10-year-old daughter.
William Linn McCue, 51, of Loganville, was found guilty of felony murder and multiple additional charges tied to years of abuse inside the family home.
The victim, 10-year-old Zowey, died in a house fire after being unable to escape. According to court testimony, she had been confined to a windowless bathroom, where she was forced to sleep on a piece of plywood placed over a bathtub. The room was used as a locked bedroom.
During the fire, Zowey’s mother was able to get two younger children out but could not reach Zowey in time.
Investigators determined the fire had been set by Zowey’s 15-year-old brother, who later testified he acted in an attempt to escape ongoing abuse. He walked several miles afterward to seek help at a church.
Early in the case, the teen faced charges, but the focus shifted to the parents after authorities uncovered the conditions inside the home.
Court evidence revealed that the children endured years of severe abuse, including:
Physical punishment and prolonged confinement
Being forced to stand for extended periods as punishment
Use of shock collars
Limited access to basic hygiene and bathroom facilities
Food restrictions, including a locked refrigerator
Lack of schooling or proper care
Prosecutors also presented evidence of sexual abuse involving older children in the home.
McCue was convicted of multiple additional charges, including rape, aggravated child molestation, and incest.
He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by an additional life sentence and 120 more years in prison.
Zowey’s mother, Carina McCue, had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment, and was sentenced to 90 years in prison.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the abuse and the conditions the children were forced to endure.
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