From Valleynewslive · · 1m 30s
A cage in an 11-year-old's bedroom
A West Virginia boy told deputies he was locked in a homemade box for hours and paddled until the bruises stacked up.
In brief
A West Virginia boy told deputies he was locked in a homemade box for hours and paddled until the bruises stacked up. Two adults are jailed with no bond after an 11-year-old described being caged for hours and beaten with a paddle, and deputies found the cage in his bedroom. Originally reported by Valleynewslive.
Two charged in Clarksburg
Michael Gibson, 44, and Angela Gibson, 48, were charged after an 11-year-old boy told authorities he was locked in a cage and hit with a paddle.
What the charges are
Both face child neglect creating substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. Michael Gibson also faces child abuse resulting in injury, per the Harrison County Sheriff's Office.
A bed with four walls
The boy described being shut inside what court documents call a homemade bed with four walls and a solid roof.
“homemade bed that has four walls and a solid roof”
Bruises in stages
He said the paddle hit hard enough that the pain lasted days. Deputies saw severe bruising at different stages of healing in photos from Child Protective Services.
The search warrant
Deputies searched Michael Gibson's home and found a locking cage in the boy's bedroom. The child said he was left in it for hours, soiled himself, then was punished for that.
Held with no bond
Both are in the North Central Regional Jail with no bond set. Their relationship to the boy has not been made public.
What matters most
Two adults are jailed with no bond after an 11-year-old described being caged for hours and beaten with a paddle, and deputies found the cage in his bedroom.
