LOGANVILLE, Ga. -- A Loganville detective said it is the worst case of child abuse she's ever seen.

Police arrested a Loganville woman on charges of whipping and abusing her three adopted children.

An extension cord turned whip is what Loganville police said 56-year-old Shirley Allen used to hit her three teenage adopted children.

"It was the worst case that I've seen throughout my career in law enforcement,” said Loganville Detective Angel Smith.

Pictures taken by police show bruises up and down the 15-year-old's legs. Others show the imprinted shape of the whip, and on his hip, where the hook broke the skin.

Smith said what Allen considered punishment didn't end there.

"The children stated they went without food for three days,” said Smith.

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The refrigerator was kept in Allen's bedroom under lock and key.

The children told police their mother would also make them stand on a milk crate for hours as punishment.

Allen lived in an upscale Loganville community where neighbors are in disbelief.

"You really just don't know your neighbor sometimes. You see them, you wave, but you really don't know what goes on inside people's homes,” said neighbor Patricia Brown.

"You wouldn't think something like that would be going on here at all,” said another neighbor Biniam Iyasu.

Smith said Allen confessed to the whippings and asked for help. As for the children, police say they are relieved to be out of this house.

"Right before they went with DFCS to another foster home, they gave me hugs and kisses and thanked me,” said Smith.