A couple in Tennessee has been arrested for reportedly confining a 7-year-old non-verbal boy with autism in a storage locker within their home, which was described as unsanitary by authorities.
Deputies from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office recently made a disturbing discovery while serving a search warrant at a residence in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
During their investigation, evidence of child abuse was uncovered, as stated in a press release. Mikki Dee Moody, 36, and Sean David Moody, 39, have been taken into custody by the police on charges of aggravated child abuse and neglect, as well as child endangerment.
On Thursday, law enforcement officers carrying out the warrant, along with agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, discovered the Moodys and the young individual residing at the residence. Authorities have reported that Sean Moody has been taken into custody on a charge unrelated to the abuse of a vulnerable adult.
“It was discovered while conducting the search of the residence that living conditions were unsanitary,” sheriff’s office investigator Preston White said in a statement.
White reported finding exposed wiring and animal and human feces throughout the home. Deputies later discovered a brown storage trunk in the living room.
“The trunk contained urine-soaked blankets, a pillow, half-eaten pizza, and clothing that contained a substance consistent with blood,” White said.
A shocking incident involving the Moodys has come to light, where they reportedly provided the boy with food before confining him in the trunk. The couple was taken to the Carter County Jail by the police. Mikki Moody has posted a $75,000 bond, while Sean Moody is still in jail, according to records.
Deputies alerted the Department of Children’s Services, who promptly arrived at the residence and assumed custody of the young boy.
The TBI has reported that Sean Moody is facing charges of mistreating a vulnerable adult, specifically his adult sister who has a developmental disability. Investigators were informed about the abuse on August 7th.
According to agents, it was discovered during the investigation that the victim was subjected to abuse by her brother, Sean Moody, who was also responsible for her care.