A married couple that allegedly locked their two young autistic children into cages in their family home, as reported by Fox 12 News in Oregon, have been charged with criminal mistreatment.
In a response to a welfare check requested by Child Protective Services, officers discovered that the couple, living in Vancouver, Washington, kept two of their children in a locked cage in their home.
CPS had tried to access the family’s apartment to check on the children, aged 5 and 7, after receiving a complaint, but they were unsuccessful.
When police were contacted for assistance they reportedly found two children – behind a cage-like door as the door to their room had been removed – restricted to only living in the one room.
The responding officer detailed in his report that he found the children only surrounded by a single dirty mattress; noticeably absent were any blankets, clothes or toys.
The officer’s report reads, “As I got close to the cage to take photographs, the children came close to me and were reaching their arms through to try and grab on to me. They were both making moaning noises and they tapped their fingers together through the holes between the metal bars. When I got close to them, I could smell a strong odor of urine coming from their diapers.”
The child’s mother, A.H., told officers that she kept her children held like that “because they are autistic, it's the only way to contain them.”
A.H.’s partner, J.E., told officers, “What am I supposed to do, let them run around the house and get into everything? What kind of [expletive] parenting is that?”
The filth found by officers was not solely contained in the children’s caged room. Throughout the house debris, garbage and dirty dishes built up.
The only remnants of food found in the home were limited to pizza and soda.
A neighbor, K.E., said, “I suspected child abuse.
I've called CPS—‘you need to check out these kids!’”
Though CPS had no criminal history on the couple, in February they received a call from law enforcement telling them that the couple may need assistance and appeared overwhelmed.
Media has discerned that A.H. was working at the time as a volunteer at an elementary school in Vancouver. The school district confirmed that a background check was done as it is on all employees and volunteers.
A.H. reportedly studied elementary education at Clark College.
A parent from the school where A.H. worked said, “My heart is torn about this, to think someone could do this to their children is horrible. They're the innocent victims in this, all children need people to take care of them.”
The couple has two other children living in the house that were not locked up. A.H. is the biological mother of the eldest, a 9 year old; J.E. is the biological father of the two autistic boys.
The couple shares one common child, an 11 month-old.
The children have all been removed from the home by CPS and placed in foster care.
The couple has been booked into the Clark County Jail.
If you, or you and your spouse, are facing criminal charges, contact a criminal defense attorney today to help you with your case.
