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HAMILTON — A teenage couple accused of terrorizing a disabled young woman at her Hanover Twp. home in February will be tried as adults.

Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft ruled Wednesday, May 14, that Cheyenne Blanton, 17, and Joseph Nagle, 16, both of Hamilton, will be transferred to adult court on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felonious assault and vandalism.

Both teens, who have a child together, are accused of assaulting Ashley Clark, 18, all day Feb. 22, "hog tying" her and gagging her with a string and panties, police said. Bond was set at slightly more than $1 million for each teen. The case will now be presented to a Butler County grand jury.

Bobby Clark, Ashley Clark's father, whispered "yes" after the judge announced his decision. Nagle showed no emotion, but Blanton started crying as she was handcuffed and led from the courtroom.

"Thank God," Bobby Clark said after the short hearing. "For what my daughter is going through, they deserve every day they can get that will be more in juvenile court."

The teens allegedly entered a home in the 3100 block of Lanes Mill Road in Hanover Twp., spent the night in a laundry room and planned to steal the purse and keys of Bobby Clark's wife, Sheila, while she was in the shower. They wanted to take her car and get out of town, according to detectives.

Ashley Clark, a Talawanda High School senior, was hit and kicked by the couple and bashed with a baseball bat in the legs and chest, detectives said. They moved the victim around the house during the beating, making her walk outside wet and barefoot before destroying items in the house, authorities said.

Bobby Clark said his daughter is still recovering physically from the attack. She walks with a limp.

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