Couple charged with sodomy and incest after they 'forced two young children to perform sexual acts' 

  • Amber Cartwright, 24, and Zachary Burns, 23, charged with first-degree sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12
  • Two additional counts of enticing a child for immoral purpose and incest are pending 
  • Authorities in Alabama became aware of alleged abuse after young victims told a relative about it  

By Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:25 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 08:33 EST, 11 July 2015

An Alabama couple have been arrested and charged with sexually abusing two young relatives by forcing them to perform sex acts.

Amber Cartwright, 24, of Crane Hill, and Zachary Burns, 23, of Cullman, were taken into custody Wednesday after the young victims told a relative about the molestation, prompting that person to alert the authorities.

‘It’s safe to say this is one of the worst child sexual abuse cases I have seen in my career,' Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said of the allegations. 'There is no punishment severe enough for these two that fits this crime.' 

Scroll down for video  

Amber Maritta Cartwright
Zachary Levi Burns

Vile allegations: Amber Cartwright (left), 24, and Zachary Burns (right), 23, have been charged with first-degree sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12

Officials say Burns (pictured) and Cartwright would have sex together and force the children to participate. The faces of the alleged victims have been obscured to protect their identities

Officials say Burns (pictured) and Cartwright would have sex together and force the children to participate. The faces of the alleged victims have been obscured to protect their identities

According to law enforcement officials, Burns and Cartwright engaged in sexual acts with one another and made the victims, both under age 12, to participate, reported the station WIAT. 

It’s safe to say this is one of the worst child sexual abuse cases I have seen in my career.
   Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry 

No additional details of the case were released due to the graphic nature of the sex crimes. 

The woman, a server at Applebee’s, and her boyfriend, a cook, have been charged with first-degree sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12.

The pair also have two additional counts of enticing a child for immoral purpose and incest pending against them.

The children have been placed in the custody of the state Department of Human Resources.

Burns and Cartwright are being held without bond in the Cullman County Detention Center.

The children have been placed in the custody of the state Department of Human Resources
The pair have two additional counts of enticing a child for immoral purpose and incest pending against them

More legal trouble: The pair have two additional counts of enticing a child for immoral purpose and incest pending against them

Comments (4)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now