Fremont County, Iowa- A couple from Iowa has been taken into custody on charges of neglect and abandonment of a dependent person, as well as child endangerment.
This comes after authorities discovered a 4-year-old child in a cage contaminated with both human and animal waste, as reported by Fremont County deputies.
Deputies discovered the 4-year-old child in a residence located in Hamburg, Iowa on Thursday.
There was another child discovered in the residence, and both children were transported to the hospital for assessment.
Authorities claim that Dustin Perry, 26, and Lindsey Hamilton, 26, from Shenandoah entrusted their children to relatives, instructing them to confine the 4-year-old, who has developmental disabilities, in an improvised enclosure.
As per a news release from the sheriff’s office, the cage was constructed using a pack-and-play and baby gate, secured together with zip ties.
The child managed to slip away unnoticed and asked for help. It is not clear who helped the kid and contacted the authorities.
Authorities discovered an additional cage, resembling the previous one, inside a walk-in closet at the residence in Shenandoah.
Perry and Hamilton face charges of felony neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, along with misdemeanor child endangerment.
There may be further charges in the case.