Teen girl forced to wear armor, fight stepfather with wooden sword

Couple told officers they punished the teen for going to a party without their permission

By DREW MIKKELSEN

YELM, Wash. — A Thurston County couple is accused of beating their daughter and forcing her to fight them in a medieval-style duel.

Investigators arrested the 16-year-old girl's stepfather, Fremon Seay, and her mother, Julie Seay, this weekend.

According to police, the teen was forced her to dress in armor and fight Fremon Seay with a wooden sword for two hours. Police also said Seay punched and beat his stepdaughter with a tree branch prior to the duel. Investigators said she collapsed from exhaustion.

The couple told officers they punished the teen for going to a party without their permission.

Investigators learned the couple is part of a group of Renaissance enthusiasts, who recreate fights from the medieval era.

Officers said the parents told them it was their right to discipline their child however they see fit.

Police said Julie Seay witnessed the abuse. She is employed at a daycare in Yelm.

The teen reportedly has bruises all over her body, but is expected to recover. She and two other children who live at the home are temporarily staying with other family members.

The couple appeared at the Thurston County Courthouse Monday afternoon.