Honk News (Muncie, IN) – An Indiana couple may face charges after police reported that they targeted their 10-year-old son with neglectful treatment.
Melody Greenwood, 38, and Adam Greenwood, 36, were taken into custody by police in Muncie, Indiana, after they brought their 10-year-old son to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in late February, as reported in court documents.
Medical staff notified the Indiana Department of Child Services after observing that the boy exhibited signs of nutritional neglect and child abuse, according to police reports. During the interview with law enforcement, the boy and his family shared a troubling account, claiming that his parents were involved in a distressing situation.
According to police in an arrest affidavit, the boy was discovered to be “extremely skinny” and had “scars and marks on his wrists” that seemed “consistent with restraints.” A boy allegedly informed officers that his mother had used zip ties on his wrists.
A boy informed officers that his mother reportedly used zip ties to bind his hands behind his back while his seven siblings were preparing for bedtime, according to documents. It is reported that she made the child wear restraints to bed and later cut them off with scissors, resulting in scars on the boy’s wrists. The boy reported to the police that the zip-ties were causing him discomfort due to their tightness.
The documents indicated that the other siblings did not experience the same treatment as the 10-year-old. Police reported that during interviews with the other children, the boy who was allegedly targeted was frequently made to stand against a wall for “10-12 hours” and was “grounded” due to behavioral problems. The boy reportedly said that the siblings were told to “beat him up” if he tried to move away from the wall.
According to police, the parents of eight children reportedly provided their 10-year-old with “canned food, vegetables and protein,” while also forbidding any snacking or junk food, as stated by Melody Greenwood. The other kids, on the other hand, enjoyed “cheeseburgers and fast food.”
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The documents mentioned that the boy was reportedly not allowed to watch TV or play video games. A towel was said to have been placed over his head to stop him from taking part.
Melody Greenwood reportedly informed the police that her children were home-schooled. However, when officers talked to the kids, it became clear that this meant the two oldest siblings read three chapters of a book to their younger siblings while their parents were at work.
Melody and Adam Greenwood have been taken into custody by Muncie police and are facing multiple initial charges related to child neglect. Both individuals were taken to Delaware County Jail and later released after posting bond. The decision is now with Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman, who has not yet determined if the Greenwoods will face formal charges.