A Utah couple facing cruelty charges in Prague are seeking permission to leave the Czech Republic so the woman can receive medical treatment.
Glenda Roach told KBRE radio in Cedar City that she recently had back surgery and has been allowed to leave the country.But she said attorneys and officials at the U.S. Embassy have been unable to secure the same privilege for her husband, Steven, who had to post $6,600 bail to be released from jail.
"I am not going without my husband," Glenda Roach said. "We need to come back to the States to go back to work and me get medical attention."
The Roaches, who are from St. George, and two Czech citizens are charged with cruelty to people in their custody and with curtailing the students' freedom of movement. They face up to eight years in jail if convicted.
Glenda Roach was principal of the private Morava Academy, where some students allege they were isolated, tied up and kept from using the restroom.
Investigator Petr Netik said eight of the 25 children interviewed by police complained that educational methods at the school were too harsh.
The American-owned academy is a boarding school for American teenagers who were neglecting school at home and had problems getting along with their families.
The academy is part owned by St. George Attorney J. Ralph Atkin.
Karr Farnsworth, head of an umbrella company that represents Morava Academy and several other teen programs around the world, called the charges absurd.
He said the accusations stem from some disgruntled ex-employees who got the students to complain against the staff.