In a shocking case from Minnesota, a couple is set to serve four years in prison after it was revealed they confined their children in makeshift cages at night, claiming it was for their safety when questioned by authorities.
Benjamin Cotton, 42, and Christina Cotton, 40, have admitted to charges of child torture, according to court documents. In a significant development, prosecutors have dropped 15 additional charges against the defendants, which included serious allegations such as torture, neglect, and malicious punishment of a child.
A probable cause statement reveals that in August 2022, Goodhue County Health and Human Services was alerted about the welfare of four children, aged 9, 7, 5, and 2. Authorities reported that Christina Cotton exhibited unusual behavior and had a background of mental health issues. According to the affidavit, it was reported that at least one child had been confined in a cage.
The following day after the report was received, a social worker and an investigator from the Red Wing Police Department visited the home. Christina Cotton opened the door and welcomed them in. The three younger children were in their bedrooms, while the older child was downstairs, she mentioned.
Read More: 16-year-old Arrested in New Mexico as He Killed Parents and Siblings after Returning Home Drunk
According to the affidavit, when officers inquired about the possibility of children being confined in cages, Christina Cotton reacted with distress, asserting that the children were “secured for their safety.”
Authorities discovered a disturbing scene in a bedroom where a 2-year-old was found confined in a playpen, with a dog cage secured on top, preventing the child from escaping. Authorities reported that the young child had a dirty diaper secured with duct tape around his body. Adjacent to the playpen stood a bunk bed crafted specifically for young children, featuring wooden planks around the perimeter that securely contained the little ones.
According to authorities, the 7- and 5-year-old were found inside with a mattress, blankets, and a “puke bowl.” The authorities observed that they were unable to rise to their feet. A wooden door featured a sliding metal lock.
The mother stated that she secured the children around 8:30 p.m. the previous evening, indicating they had been confined in the cages for approximately 13 hours. A 9-year-old was discovered downstairs and not confined. Authorities reported that the child exhibited “excessive bruising” across the back and buttocks.
The affidavit reveals that the 7-year-old informed authorities that he was restrained with duct tape behind his back as a method of discipline. He mentioned that he needs to handle everyday tasks such as cleaning the rugs and couch, as well as picking up toys. He mentioned that when he fails to complete them, his father strikes him with a belt “hard” and his mother “hits him really, really hard.” Additional scrutiny of the remaining three children revealed bruises on their hips, buttocks, and legs.
“The treating doctor opined that all of the bruising documented on the children was consistent with being forcibly stuck with an object such as a belt,” cops wrote.
According to law enforcement, the social worker informed Christina Cotton that confining her children in such a way was not permissible. However, she stated, “you don’t understand,” emphasizing that the cages were meant to keep her children from “dying,” according to police reports.
She recounted an incident when one of the children managed to get away and seized a kitchen knife. The mother voiced worries about the possibility of the children accessing household chemicals. Christina Cotton expressed that without proper containment, they would ultimately face fatal consequences, placing the responsibility on the police department and Health and Human Services.
Additional inquiries uncovered that the parents had been confining their children at night for a minimum of four years. The children were placed under the care of HHS.