safety
St. Clair County woman accused of locking foster children in dog cages to serve 6-10 years in prison
By Samantha Sayles, Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 29, 2026
· 2 min read
A St. Clair County woman accused of brutally abusing her two foster children over a four-year span, including locking them in dog cages, was sentenced on Monday to 6-10 years in prison.Sarah Elise Hager, 39, of Port Huron, was arrested in March and charged with seven felony counts — including chi...
Key takeaway Clair County woman accused of brutally abusing her two foster children over a four-year span, including locking them in dog cages, was sentenced on Monday to 6-10 years in prison.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The sentencing of Sarah Elise Hager brings a measure of closure to a disturbing case of child abuse in St. Clair County, but it also raises questions about the oversight of foster care in the region. The fact that the abuse occurred over a four-year span, from 2017 to 2021, suggests a breakdown in the system that allowed Hager's actions to go undetected for so long. The case highlights the need for increased vigilance and support for foster children in Detroit and surrounding areas, including Wayne County. As the community moves forward, it will be important to examine the role of Child Protective Services and law enforcement in preventing similar cases of abuse in the future. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and other local agencies must work to ensure that foster children are protected and that those responsible for their care are held accountable for their actions.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A St. Clair County woman accused of brutally abusing her two foster children over a four-year span, including locking them in dog cages, was sentenced on Monday to 6-10 years in prison.Sarah Elise Hager, 39, of Port Huron, was arrested in March and charged with seven felony counts — including chi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samantha Sayles, Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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