NEWTON -The Kansas couple accused of abusing three children they adopted were arraigned Monday and entered not guilty pleas according to Harvey County Attorney David Yoder’s office.

James and Paige Nachtigal were charged in February with 12 felonies each, including child abuse, aggravated battery and child torture.

They are accused of abusing a boy and two other children they adopted from a Peruvian orphanage while working as international missionaries.

Court documents released earlier indicated that an 11-year-old was regularly beaten with a wooden spoon and had his arm broken after he ran away from his North Newton home.

A date for the jury trial was set for Jan. 17, of next year.