GARVIN COUNTY, Okla. (TCN) — A couple has been charged with three counts of child neglect after an investigation found they allegedly confined their children to a wooden box and playpen for extended periods.
According to Law & Crime, the investigation into 46-year-old Sara Tudor and 43-year-old Michael Brown began on July 27, when a teacher told the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that she was concerned for the well-being of three children ages 4, 8, and 9. Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation were apprised of the situation by the district attorney’s office and began an investigation.
Human Services officials alleged that “one of the children was confined to a wooden box and the other was confined to a playpen for at least 20 hours. … They also learned the children were not fed properly and did not receive showers or baths,” per Law & Crime.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by KOKH, “The children wore diapers, only ate baby food and drank chocolate milk, and did not receive showers or baths. OKDHS learned that all three children had difficulty walking due to being confined for so long and lack of exposure to walking around, in addition to being extremely sensitive to sunlight due to not being allowed to go outside on a regular basis.”
The children were removed from the home and evaluated at a hospital, where it was determined that “each suffered from psychological abuse due to confinement and infantilization,” according to Law & Crime. They were then placed into foster care. KTEN reports that according to officials, their health is improving.
According to the District 21 District Attorney’s Office, Tudor and Brown were arrested on Oct. 8 and each were charged with three counts of child neglect.
MORE:
