Texas couple kept severely malnourished five-year-old in a cupboard under the stairs
The child was found bruised and emaciated
A couple kept their 5-year-old son locked in a cupboard wearing only a nappy, Texas police have said.
The severely malnourished child was found bruised and with protruding bones after Harris County officers were called to a disturbance in the 21500 block of Castlemont, in Spring, Houston, on Thursday, KRPC-TV reported.
Upon arrival, police found Bradley Bleimeyer, 24, arguing with his 16-year-old stepson. The teenager told the authorities that his father and stepmother were neglecting his younger stepbrother and keeping him locked in a cupboard.
Police entered the house and found a tiny room with a lock under the stairs. But the stepmother, 33-year-old Tammi Bleimeyer, had left the house with the child before officers arrived.
Ms Bleimeyer was tracked down at a motel in Humble on Friday via her mobile phone and the boy was taken to Texas Children's Hospital.
Investigators released images of the tiny, blonde-haired child, which show his protruding shoulder blades, ribs and spine.
“He was severely undernourished - bones sticking out, bumps, bruises. His skin was coming off on his back. It's a horrific, horrific situation,” Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Assistant Chief Mark Herman told KHOU-TV.
Mr and Ms Bleimeyer were arrested Friday on a charge of endangering a child. Ms Bleimeyer was released on a bond of $2,000 (£1,200) and Mr Bleimeyer, who was already out on bail for a burglary arrest, was held without bond.
The child remains hospitalised. Officials said the Children’s Protective Services (CPS) is requesting emergency custody of him.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.