EL DORADO COUNTY, CA (CNN/KTXL) — A California woman is behind bars, accused of abusing and torturing her adopted children.
This comes after one of those children, a 14-year-old, reportedly ran away from home in April and revealed years of abuse to deputies.
Becky Wooten says she isn't surprised after learning that one of her long-time neighbors had been arrested for alleged years of child abuse.
"I mean you knew something was off," said Wooten.
Neighbors say that 63-year-old Patricia Taylor had been living in this home on Lorrain Street in Shingle Springs for decades. It's where she housed several foster children, some of whom she adopted.
"I know she had a high school aged boy living there at one time and two younger ones. And I know that she slowly started to fence that area off," said Wooten.
El Dorado County deputies say four adopted daughters had been living with Taylor at the time of her arrest, all between the ages of 11 and 16.
Taylor faces over a dozen serious charges including years of child abuse torture, false imprisonment and sex crimes.
She is currently booked in the El Dorado County Jail.
"I don't know how to wrap my head around this. I'm just in shock. We all are," said Kim Buchanan, a neighbor.
Other people living in the area like Buchana say news of her neighbor's arrest left her shaken.
"I really want to be fair about this. I care about the kids but it's hard because I've known this lady for so long," said Buchanan.
Buchanan and others say Taylor liked to keep to herself, often staying inside with the blinds pulled down.
The grass outside was often tall and overgrown.
"The kids never really came outside much and I never really talked to them. Everything was kept in there. The place always looked like that.. a shamble," said neighbor Steve Bolton.
Neighbors thought she was helping children in need.
"I thought she was doing wonderful things for these kids and if she's found guilty, its just a complete reverse. Just you know, two extremes.. from being good to the complete opposite," said Bolton.
Tonight people living in Shingle Springs say that you never really know who your neighbors are and are pledging to keep a more watchful eye to prevent people from being hurt in their community.
"I think this was a good wake up call that we really need to go what's going on in our neighborhood," said Wooten.
Taylor is being held on close to a $1.5 million bond.
Her husband says she is innocent, but they can't afford to post her bail.
Media reports that all four adopted children are safe and are in the care of Child Protective Services.
