VERNON, Conn. -- A mother and father in Vernon are accused of making their four children beat one another.

Christopher Dubay, 24, and Krystal Burgess, 24, were taken into police custody after an investigation into injuries found on the children.

Police said officers went to the couple's High Street home after a complaint of possible child abuse was reported by workers from the Department of Children and Families.

Police said three of the four children, ages 6, 4, 2 and 1, were suffering from visible signs of injury. They were all transported to Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Police said Dubay, who is the father of the two youngest children, admitted to encouraging the children to fight one another. He told police that during the fights he would give the children plastic baseball bats and other objects to fight with.

Police said Dubay told officers that he would cheer the children on during the fights, which would sometimes last as long as 20 minutes.

During one of the fights, Dubay told police that the oldest child suffered a split and bloodied lip before Dubay ended the fight.

Police said that Dubay also admitted to physically abusing the children, and said that he would hit them with his hand and sometimes with an electrical extension cord.

The children have since been released from the hospital and are in DCF care and custody.

Dubay was charged with six counts of risk of injury to a minor, assault, hindering prosecution and cruelty to persons. He is being held on a $150,000 bond.

"I've read the warrant affidavit," said Judge Carl Schuman. "The state's evidence is strong, and a high bond is appropriate."

Burgess was charged with hindering prosecution and cruelty to persons. Her bond was set at $30,000.

Police said Burgess, who is the mother of all four children, never sought medical attention for the injured children and that she tried to hide the children's injuries from the authorities.

The pair was scheduled to face a judge on Tuesday.