A judge determined the fate of two Nevada parents who admitted to keeping their 11-year-old son, who has autism, in an enclosure for six years. The case was uncovered when a truancy officer visited their home after the boy had been absent from school.
The parents pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child neglect charge and were sentenced to a year of probation. The judge considered them a low risk for reoffending, which contributed to the decision not to impose jail time.
Defense attorneys argued that the structure in which the boy was kept was not a cage but an enclosure designed for his safety. They maintained that the initial charges did not accurately reflect the facts and stated that the parents had learned from the situation.
The case came to light when a truancy officer went to the residence to check on the child. After waiting outside for approximately 40 minutes, the father finally answered the door and claimed his children had been sick. Upon entering, the officer observed a large enclosure made of metal bars with locked doors in the living room. Inside, a young boy was wearing only a diaper, and feces covered the floor and walls.
The mother admitted that she had stopped cleaning the enclosure weeks earlier, citing a busy schedule. Authorities noted that the home was in extreme disarray, emitting a strong smell of feces. Another bedroom had no furniture, holes in the walls, trash scattered about, and an exterior lock that prevented exit from the inside.
The parents also locked their daughter, who also has autism, in her bedroom at night and duct-taped her shirt to her diaper to prevent her from reaching her feces. When asked why they had not sought help, the father stated they did not know where to start and were hesitant to allow strangers into their home.
Child Protective Services determined that the parents repeatedly placed their children in dangerous situations and subjected them to deplorable living conditions that posed direct harm to their health. The agency also noted that the couple failed to seek services or assistance despite struggling with their children’s needs.
One child required hospitalization, while three others were removed from the home and placed with family members. Authorities stated that while the parents may have believed they were doing their best, their lack of action resulted in significant neglect.
