Biological kids deny parents hurt adoptees

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A New Jersey couple accused of starving their adopted sons are being defended by their biological children.

The biological children claim their parents were caring and competent.

Raymond Jackson, whose parents Raymond and Vanessa were charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment last month, said the four adopted boys ate with the rest of the family.

"We would eat together. I mean, we would have, like, the same meals. We'd eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together and stuff together," he told CBS News anchor Dan Rather in a segment of "60 Minutes II" to be aired Friday evening.

The Jacksons were charged after their oldest adopted son, Bruce, was found rummaging through a neighbor's trash looking for food. Though 19 Bruce was 4 feet tall and weighed 45 pounds. Another brother, Keith, was 14 and weighed 40 pounds. Tyrone, 10, weighed 28 pounds, and Michael, 9, weighed 23 pounds.

The Jackson's biological daughter Renee Jackson, 29, said she made huge pots of beans and rice, and meat and casseroles.

"I love Italian food, so we would always have Italian dishes and Asian-influenced dishes," she said.