A father and a stepmother in Delaware face child abuse charges after police say they locked their 12-year-old in a room for three months and physically abused him.
According to New Castle County police, the boy escaped Tuesday night from his home on the 100 block of Brookside Boulevard and went to a neighbor for help.
Police say the neighbor called officers after noticing the boy wasn't wearing any shoes, had bruises on his face and appeared to be malnourished.
During their investigation, police say they learned the child had been kept in a locked room since September and was only allowed out to use the bathroom.
Police say the windows to the boy's room were screwed shut, the door handle was installed backwards and the only furniture available to the boy was a lamp without a lampshade.
According to police, the child was 20 pounds below the average weight for his age.
Police say three other children were living in the home. FOX 29's Chris O'Connell reports the three kids are now staying with family members.
By Wednesday, police say they went to the suspects home, Robert Hohn, 41, and his wife Shannon Watterson, 39, and took them into custody.
The boy is currently being treated at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children.
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(L-R) Shannon Watterson, 39, and Robert Hohn, 41, are accused of locking their son in his room for three months. (New Castle County Police)
