Ex-sex assault accuser accused of abuse

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HOUSTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A Texas woman who recently recanted nearly 20-year-old sexual assault accusations against four women is now fighting child abuse allegations made against her.

Stephanie Limon Martinez, 25, and her husband, Joseph Martinez, 29, were in court Monday to fight charges allegations that the Houston-area couple have a filthy apartment unsuitable for their children and a history of domestic abuse, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Child Protective Services took custody of the couple's three children, all younger than 3, after the agency received a complaint against the parents in August.

The complaint came after an alleged incident in which Martinez pulled a butcher knife on his wife and she threatened him with pepper spray. The identity of the person who made the complaint has not been released.

The couple have denied the accusations of abuse.

"I want my babies back," Limon Martinez said in court Monday.

Limon Martinez and her husband said they believe the accusations are in retaliation for her efforts to clear the names of her aunt and three other women whom she and her sister accused of sexually assault 1994.

Limon Martinez, who was 7 at the time of the sexual assault allegations, said her father, Javier Limon, was the reason why she and her sister accused the four women -- Elizabeth Ramirez, the aunt, and her friends Anna Vasquez, Cassandra Rivera and Kristie Mayhugh.

Javier Limon allegedly proposed marriage to Ramirez, who rejected the advances, as he was dating her sister.

Vasquez was recently released on parole, but the other women are still incarcerated.