A father and a stepmother in Delaware face child abuse charges after police say they locked their 12-year-old in a room for three months and physically abused him.
According to New Castle County police, the boy escaped Tuesday night from his home on the 100 block of Brookside Boulevard and went to a neighbor for help.
Police say the neighbor called officers after noticing the boy wasn't wearing any shoes, had bruises on his face and appeared to be malnourished.
During their investigation, police say they learned the child had been kept in a locked room since September and was only allowed out to use the bathroom.
Police say the windows to the boy's room were screwed shut, the door handle was installed backwards and the only furniture available to the boy was a lamp without a lampshade.
According to police, the child was 20 pounds below the average weight for his age.
Police say three other children were living in the home. FOX 29's Chris O'Connell reports the three kids are now staying with family members.
By Wednesday, police say they went to the suspects home, Robert Hohn, 41, and his wife Shannon Watterson, 39, and took them into custody.
The boy is currently being treated at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
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Thursday weather looks damp and stormy. It will be mild and muggy to start with spotty showers early followed by afternoon and evening storms. Highs in the upper 70s with winds out of the SW 5-10 mph. Some of the storms will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
This system is from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. It will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
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New Jersey says it's cracking down on bars and restaurants amid claims that they're substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with "well brand spirits," unbeknownst to customers.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:49:38 GMT
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(L-R) Shannon Watterson, 39, and Robert Hohn, 41, are accused of locking their son in his room for three months. (New Castle County Police)
