Last week, police arrived at a home in rural Alabama to find four children locked in wooden cages. Their ages ranged between 3- and 11-years-old. The police had received a tip alleging that the children’s mother and grandparents were abusing the children, which prompted them to visit the home.
When police arrived, they were able to account for the four older children (there was another child, 8 months, who was not at home at the time. All children have since been removed from the home).
While going through the home, the police discovered wooden cages with locks. The Sheriff’s office shared images of the cages on their Facebook page, showing cribs with wooden slats on the top that could be closed with locks. Investigators found two makeshift crib cages in the home and learned that the children had been locked in them over multiple occasions.
“On January 13, 2020 the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received information in regard to a possible child abuse situation at a location in the city of Smiths Station in southeast Lee County,” the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Investigations said. Their statement continues:
“Station and made contact with 4 children ages3, 4, 10 and 11 years old. During the contact, investigators observed two wood constructed cages that had hasps and locks present. Investigation revealed evidence that the children had been locked in the cages on multiple occasions. Investigators discovered that a fifth child, age 8 months, also resided at the residence but was not present at the time of contact. All 5 children have been removed from the residence and are in the care of Lee County D.H.R.”
– Lee County Sheriff’s Office
As a result of the investigation, Pamela Deloris Bond, 66, James H. Bond, 69, and Kylla Michelle Mann, 30, were all arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and reckless endangerment. They are all currently being held on bond, according to a statement by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
There has been no indication about what prompted the family to lock the children in cages. The Sheriff’s office has not yet shared additional information on the trial.