A northern Georgia couple have been arrested after they allegedly tattooed themselves and six of their seven children.

According to The Associated Press, Patty Jo Marsh and her husband, Jacob Bartels, said they did nothing wrong when they gave “tats” to their children using a plastic pen body with a needle made from a guitar string connected to an electric motor.

Five of the children received a cross-like tattoo on their hands, while a sixth was adorned with “mom and dad” on his arm. The children range in age from 10 to 17.

The pair were arrested after the biological mother of two of the children complained that the tattoos wouldn’t wash off. Marsh told authorities that the children had asked to be tattooed.

“I’m their mother,” Marsh said. “Shouldn’t I be able to decide if they get one?”