Meghin Grace Faust, 31 of Rome, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of abusing children over a period of time.

According to the indictment, Faust beat the children repeatedly, punished them by forcing them to sleep in the cold, forced one child to shoplift at Walmart and sexually abused one of the children.

Reports said that the acts took place in front of the other children.

Faust was sentenced to 20 years, with 10 to serve in prison.  She was found guilty of first-degree cruelty to children and child molestation.

Faust is also not allowed to contact the children or any child under the age of 18. She must also register as a sex offender upon release from prison.