Police told the 13-year old that they allowed him to go to school, but that he spent most of the time locked up in the office.

Police in Florida arrested two parents for child abuse after they said that their son was locked up in an 8x8ft room for five years.

Timothy Ferriter (46) and Tracy Ferriter (46) are accused of forcing the boy into a small structure in their garage with a mattress, a toilet and a bucket. They only let him go to school.

Jupiter Police responded on January 30 to reports that a 13-year-old ranaway from his Egret Landing home, just two days after his mother reported him missing.

Police arrest two Texas moms after their children found 'eating own feces'

Officers searched Tracy's home and found the garage structure. They asked Tracy what she was using it for. Court documents obtained by CBS12 show that Tracy initially told them that it was an office. Then it became a storage area. Later, it became a room that Tracy used occasionally.

Officers noticed that the deadbolt and doorknob allowed the lock to be opened from the outside. The exterior had the only light switch.

They found a bed, a bucket, and a desk filled with school books.

Officers tracked the boy down at Independence Middle School, where he was enrolled, and conducted an interview with him to find out what was happening at home.

When asked why he fled, the teenager replied that "no one loves me" and that he didn't feel safe at home.

Investigators told him that he was kept in the room up to 18 hours per day. Meals were provided and he had the bucket to use as a toilet. He was then forced to clean it.

He claimed that he had been subject to physical abuse, including spanking and being hit with a belt or jump rope. He also said that he had been spit on numerous occasions.

According to the report, he asked officers to arrest him after stating that he would rather be in jail than go home.

Investigators executed a warrant for Ring camera footage on February 1. They claim it supports much of the teenager's story. There are thousands of videos that show him locked up in the Ring every day.

One of the boy's siblings was also interviewed, and he confirmed that the brother was kept in the house whenever he was in trouble or misbehaving.

They were charged with aggravated child abusing and false imprisonment. The couple were placed on $50k bonds each and ordered to not contact their four children unless they are authorized by the Department of Children and Families.

Since then, the pair has bonded. Child Protective Services took in their other three children, the youngest being two years old. The court did not hear any mention of abuse towards the three other children.

Nellie King, the defense attorney for the couple, presented documents to the judge suggesting that the teen suffered from "reactive attachment disorder." This is a condition where a child does not form an emotional bond with his parents or guardians and may have been the reason he was kept in a confined environment. Investigators also found that his mother claimed that he was having behavioral problems.

One thing remains unclear: Jupiter Police Department says that the teen was forced to live in the garage since 2017.

Court documents however show that the family lived in Jupiter from 2002 through 2018, before moving to Arizona for 4 years and then returning to Palm Beach County this year.

TooFab reached out to Jupiter PD to clarify whether the teen was also locked in the Arizona structure and that the family took it with them when they moved.

"Law enforcement is required to conduct thorough and objective investigations. To assist the police in their fact-finding process, I provided information to them. This included evidence from Arizona, where the family lived until just a few months ago. King stated that this critical evidence was ignored, according to WPTV.

"In criminal law, there is temptation for a community that rushes to judge. However, the judicial process, presumption and facts temper the temptation. The court will be presented with the details of what Tim and Tracy have been through over many years.

-----------------------------------

Title: Florida Parents Arrested for Keeping Adopted Teen Son Locked in 8' X 8' Room for 5 Years: Police
Sourced From: toofab.com/2022/02/10/florida-parents-arrested-for-keeping-adopted-teen-son-locked-8x8-room-5-years-police-claim/
Published Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2022 19:05:35 +0000

Read More