Sentenced: KY Couple Kept 4YO "Wild Animal" Locked Up 15Hrs A Day In 'Deplorable' Conditions

[Sugar Cookie]

A Florence couple has been charged with felony child abuse after investigators said they discovered their mentally delayed 4-year-old son was being locked in a feces-covered room for 15 hours a day.

The couple, ages 44 and 40, have had their children removed from their home and were arrested Monday on charges connected to the case. The Enquirer is not naming the parents in order to protect the identity of their children.

Boone County deputies reported they went to the couple's Ashford Drive home on May 10 due to a report of child abuse.

Once at the scene, investigators said they found the boy was severely mentally delayed, could not speak, was unclothed, soiled and behaving like a "wild animal."

Police said the couple admitted that child had not been to a doctor in three years and was kept locked in a room containing only a foam mattress and potty-training mat intended for use with pets.

The couple said the child was kept locked in the room from 9 p.m. to noon "so that his older siblings can attend virtual schooling without disruptions," court documents state.

According to police, the couple would also place the child back in the room two to three times a day for outbursts as well.

"Further examination of the room led to the discovery of feces slung onto the ceiling and smeared in large areas of the walls," investigators reported. "Large toys, cothing and any other furniture were removed for the child's safety, according to the offender."

Police said when they arrived at the home it was around 11 a.m. and the parents said they had not yet fed the boy.

All of the children in the home were removed and placed with a foster family, Boone County deputies said.

Police: NKY couple kept 4-year-old locked up 15 hours day in 'deplorable' conditions

A Florence couple has been arrested after police said their 4-year-old son was being locked in a feces-covered room for 15 hours a day.

www.cincinnati.com

Troy Caseltine, 44, and Susan Caseltine, 40,

 

[Sejanus]

They rather look like unkept wild animals.
Grotesque.
lock them in a kennel.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

These people have probably destroyed or created obstacles that will cause this child difficulty for the rest of their life.

If Child Protective Services wants to give this child a fighting chance do not set a goal of reunification with these parents.

I would even be amenable to a plea deal if they surrender their rights to all their children and are unable to have contact with any child under 18.

 

[Satanica]

No, do not give the child back.

There are social services for these children when the family is overwhelmed or just dumb as a box of rocks. Even the profoundly mentally disabled are still human beings who deserve care, love, and respect. Treating a child like an animal does nothing to help their condition. I somewhat doubt the child in this story was "delayed" naturally, but was probably abused from birth for some reason like we've seen in other cases. I'm definitely interested in the facts that will be coming out about this one.

 

[Sudonim]

A lot of his mental disabilities are probably cause by their treatment. Little to no metal stimulus combined with no to low nutrition for years on end is a recipe for 'feral' mentally delayed children. You cant expect a child to develop in a normal fashion if you've stripped away even basics at a time that is critical for healthy development. They learn by seeing and doing and experiencing. If you lock up a child you take away any chance of them learning to do those things.

What I did find interesting is the bail vs the charge. Its only a class C felony, bail isnt generally that high in cases like this unless there's something else in the mix. Its not often you see a bail of a half mill for this type charge. Bails this high generally only happen when the child dies and theres a murder charge in the mix. The sad truth is unless the child dies the punishment is almost always a slap on the hand. No real punishment involved. Its nice when you see abusers of children who lived get the same treatment of those who have died. The ones who live often have life long struggles to deal with. I doubt this boy will ever have a carefree life and his bio units should be held accountable as the reason why he wont.

 

[Busy Bee]

This is sad, I’ve seen many children who were intellectually delayed, lead useful lives and function in society well. I sure hope the child social services agency does NOT try a reunion, the child is not an experiment! They need to be with people who will love him and give him a real life ! This child may be scarred for life ( I sure hope I am wrong) all those important milestones missed. These people should just work hard so that they can financially support their children, but not see them!

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Name:

CASELTINE, SUSAN Probation (Regular)

Supervision Begin Date:	10/27/2021
Supervision End Date:	10/27/2026

Name:

CASELTINE, TROY Probation (Regular)

Supervision Begin Date:	10/27/2021
Supervision End Date:	10/26/2026