Ohio ? A couple accused of forcing some of their 11 special-needs adoptive children to sleep in cages got some good news Friday.

After the defense rested in the trial of Sharen and Michael Gravelle, Judge Earl R. McGimpsey reduced eight of 16 felony counts to misdemeanor child endangerment, saying evidence didn’t support the more serious charges.

The Gravelles now face eight felonies and 16 misdemeanors. They originally were charged with 16 counts of felony child endangering and eight misdemeanor child endangering counts. If convicted, they face one to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 for each felony count.

The Gravelles, who lost custody in March, did not testify at the trial. The couple contend that they built enclosures to keep the children from harming themselves and one another and stop their night wanderings. They deny abusing the children.

Prosecutors argue that the couple endangered the children and that the cages were urine-stained and lacked bedding. Their case included testimony from sheriff’s deputies, psychologists, foster parents and some of the youngsters, including a boy who said he was forced to live in a bathroom for 81 days.