Parents Arrested For Tattooing Kids

Chattooga, GA - A couple is out of jail on bond after being arrested for tattooing six of their children. Investigators say they put their children in danger, but they say they did nothing wrong.

Investigators in Georgia, where this happened, said a plastic pen body with a needle made of a guitar string connected to an electric motor was used to tattoo six children.

John Everett / Chattooga County Sheriff
"It's a painful procedure with a crude instrument."

Chattooga County Sheriff John Everett said five children got a cross like tattoo on their hands, the oldest boy, a tattoo of "mom and dad" on his arm.

John Everett / Chattooga County Sheriff
"7-years-old to 17. The 7-year-old's the one that didn't' receive a tattoo. They determined he was too young."

Pattyjo Marsh / Mother
"I'm not breaking their skin, it's right there, it's going to fade away. It's like a pen mark."

Sheriff Everett said investigators came after receiving a complaint from the biological mother of two of the children complaining about the tattoos.

Pattyjo Marsh / Mother
They wanted it. They asked me. It wasn't like I tattooed them for life! I did not do that, I would never do that."

Patty Marsh and her husband are charged with three counts each of illegal tattooing, second degree child cruelty and reckless conduct.

The sheriff said he's concerned if the same guitar string needle was used each time.

Pattyjo Marsh / Mother
"the guitar string that you use in the homemade gun we changed it out every time."

Pattyjo Marsh said they are now preparing to go to court.

Pattyjo Marsh / Mother
"We didn't do anything wrong. I still don't think we did anything wrong."