A couple was arrested for allegedly keeping their adopted teen son locked up in an 8ft by 8ft enclosure within their garage.
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The Jupiter Police Department said in a statement that the 14-year-old boy was reported as a runaway on Jan. 30 and learned about his living conditions after visiting the hone in Egret Landing. Tracy Ferriter only allowed one detective to inspect the garage where they found an 8-foot by 8-foot structure and was told that it was used for “storage space.” It was locked from the outside and had a doorknob with a deadbolt in addition to a light switch on the outside. A mattress, camera, and bucket were also inside the structure.
On the following day, detectives interviewed the boy at his school and he explained that he ran away from home because he felt like no one loved him and would rather “be in prison than be back home.” He also recalled being locked in the structure for more than 16 hours and using the bucket whenever he needed to go to the bathroom. Meals were also brought to the structure. Additionally, he lived in a similar enclosure when the family lived in Arizona.
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Police later arrested Tracey and Timothy Ferriter, both 46, and charged them with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment based on further evidence. They were ordered not to have any contact with their children unless permitted by the state.
The four children have been removed from the home and police confirmed the victim was adopted by the couple. However, it is unclear about the status of the other three children.
SOURCE: AOL News