Anderson couple arrested on three dozen counts of child abuse

ANDERSON, Calif. – An Anderson man and his wife were arrested after the husband was accused of abusing his own children between 2017 and 2022. The two face a total of three dozen counts of indecent acts on a child under 14 and two counts of child endangerment.

Joel Lockwood was originally arrested in August on 12 counts. However, court documents obtained Tuesday revealed that a further investigation by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office found evidence of two dozen additional instances of the crime. Along with enough evidence to say that his wife, Deborah Lockwood, knew about it and didn’t stop it.

The allegations were made by two adult children of the Lockwood family. They alleged that Joel would molest the couple from when they were 11 and 12 until adulthood. Sometimes almost every day.

It is alleged that the pair told their mother Deborah Lockwood about the events several times over the years. Documents show she claims to have spoken to her husband about it. I ask him to stop but never report it to the police.

The Shasta County Sheriff was notified of the allegations in July 2024. After a month-long investigation, officers brought the Lockwoods in for questioning. After being told he was free to leave the country if he wanted, officials said Joel admitted to much of what he was accused of. He blamed it on what he called his “sinful desires.”

That admission led to officers arresting him at the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office on August 19. He is accused of twelve counts of indecent acts between 2017 and 2020.

He posted bail of $250,000. However, further interviews by the sheriff’s office revealed evidence that Lockwood allegedly continued his actions after 2020, leading to them arresting him on October 1 for 24 additional charges. All of them are said to still be close to the original two children.

According to the reports, the same interviews revealed that his wife Deborah knew much more than she initially admitted. According to court documents, Deborah Lockwood was served a letter informing her that she faces two counts of child endangerment for failing to protect the couple from Joel Lockwood’s alleged actions.

Joel Lockwood was arraigned Tuesday morning, October 8, in Shasta District Court. He is released on $1,000,000 bail.

Deborah Lockwood’s first day in court is October 21st.

The full legal complaint and police reports can be found below. CONTENT WARNING: GRAPHIC, SEXUAL:

LEGAL COMPLAINT

SHERIFF’S REPORT